Wrist & hand decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand or residuals of an injury to the right arm as a result of service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the evaluation for right wrist pain from 10 percent to 0 percent effective February 1, 2002 is void ab initio. The veteran's right wrist disorder does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for left carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent evaluations.

The VA denied the claim that the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The Board found no evidence linking any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his hearing loss and tinnitus, to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right wrist is also rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations. The veteran's current symptoms are attributed to non-service connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence showing the veteran currently has arthritis of the right wrist, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, tension headaches are rated at 10 percent, tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection was established for obstructive sleep apnea, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected wrist disabilities do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, and there are no issues related to service connection or exposure basis. The rating will remain unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the upper extremities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as there was no evidence showing a relationship between current symptoms and service.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability is denied. The current evaluation fully contemplates the level of disability due to his service-connected left wrist disability under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently experience any of the claimed disabilities and therefore service connection for foot disability due to cold injury, disability manifested by numbness of the hands and legs, left wrist disability, or right wrist disability is denied.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral wrist fractures, show him to be unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a VA pension based on these conditions.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20% and the right shoulder, wrist, and left lower extremity cellulitis disorders are all rated as noncompensable. The initial ratings for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected status post carpal tunnel release, left and right wrists as there is no evidence showing that the disabilities are more than 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of laceration to the left forearm and ulnar nerve with left ring finger deformity, effective from August 8, 1992. The veteran's service-connected left wrist laceration scar is rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations due to his current functional status and lack of blindness, anatomical loss or use of both hands.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected keloid scars, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and posttraumatic ligament injury to the right wrist do not warrant an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision being made.