Wrist & hand decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, arthritis of multiple joints and back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and gout were denied as they are not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for PTSD was remanded but no new evidence has been provided.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, involving Muscle Group VII, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current carpal tunnel syndrome on the left was not incurred in service and is not related to her period of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome on the left was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right wrist disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation prior to September 30, 1999.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist laceration with radial nerve damage, effective from May 13, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected post-operative fusion at C5-6 with arthritis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The evaluation for post-operative fusion was maintained at 40 percent from May 19, 1990 to October 7, 1993, and increased to 20 percent from May 19, 1990. The evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with left L2-4 radiculopathy was maintained at 40 percent from October 7, 1993.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture and compression fracture of T12 to L1, both rated at 20 percent. The veteran's conditions are manifested by pain, swelling, decreased motion, and additional functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment since September 20, 1999. The RO granted entitlement to TDIU effective March 13, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, feet, shoulders, and wrists, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right wrist fracture, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted. The rating for psoriasis with eczema craquele was increased to 30% from May 11, 2000. The rating for right CTS and left ankle sprain remained at noncompensable (10%) levels. The veteran's claim for an increased rating of her left CTS was granted.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection, but the Board finds that no such effective date is warranted due to the finality of prior decisions and lack of evidence indicating a claim was filed during the relevant period.

The Board found that the April 1958 decision denying service connection for a right wrist disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right wrist fracture residuals do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right shoulder, left wrist, right ankle, and both knees. The RO also granted a noncompensable evaluation for his bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional right wrist and hand disability, but denied the claim as there is no evidence showing that current right wrist or hand disability resulted from VA hospitalization or medical treatment received in September 1949 to March 1950.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand condition, currently shown as carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence of a nexus between his active duty service and the current diagnosis.

The veteran's initial claim for an evaluation of left testicle torsion was granted, but he is denied service connection for other claimed conditions. The Board found no medical evidence linking the in-service complaints and injuries to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the December 1990 decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder.