Wrist & hand decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right wrist tendonitis, traumatic cataract of the right eye (from October 16, 1991 through November 19, 2000), and a right knee disability were denied. The initial 10% evaluation for right wrist tendonitis was upheld, while the 30% evaluation for the right eye condition from November 20, 2000 to the present is also upheld.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a combined rating of 30 percent, with separate ratings for each disability. The issues of entitlement to extra-schedular ratings have been addressed and are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist fracture, finding that it was not caused or worsened by his service-connected disability of the left tibia.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right carpal tunnel syndrome, numbness of the right hand, and lumps in the left breast are not considered to be due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to a specific environment. Sinusitis is also denied.

The veteran's claimed right wrist disability and skin conditions were not found to be service-connected or due to undiagnosed illness in the Persian Gulf War. The Board denied these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for neuroma and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist, finding that neither condition warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected residuals of a right thumb and wrist injury, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has found that the October 1974 rating decision assigning a 10 percent rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The correct rating should have been a 20 percent rating based on nonunion of the ulna, effective June 21, 1974. Effective dates prior to September 24, 1990, and April 22, 1997, for service connection are granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the postoperative residuals of a left wrist fracture, effective from when the disability was initially rated in March 1971.

The Board is revising the November 1980 decision that denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and is granting service connection on new evidence. The Board also revised the November 1980 decision denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected ganglion cyst of the right wrist was denied by the RO. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of ankylosis or neurological deficits.

The veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed within one year from the date of the December 1997 and January 1998 rating decisions, thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral fallen arches or pes planus that are service-connected, and there is no evidence of left hand, wrist, or finger disabilities due to military service.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's right hand and wrist disability, finding that her condition warranted a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right and left knees, bilateral pes planus, lung disability, right and left ankle disabilities, lipoma of the left arm and cyst/boil of the neck (claimed as secondary to radiation exposure), right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, and right and left wrist disabilities. The claims were denied on the basis that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased evaluation for his herniated intervertebral disk at L5-S1, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or a direct link to service. The initial evaluation for the herniated intervertebral disk remains 20 percent.