Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his gunshot wound to the right wrist and shell fragment wound to the right chest are denied as there is no evidence of muscle injury other than to the muscles of the hand, and the impairment of the median nerve does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected right hand disorder is manifested by functional impairment analogous to loss of use of that hand, and he has demonstrated loss of use of the left hand. The criteria for additional compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1160 are met.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the veteran's already service-connected hypothyroidism.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of one hand and both feet, qualifying him for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a right wrist or right knee disability and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent for the veteran's left wrist disorder, finding that he now has complete unfavorable ankylosis of the left wrist.

The Board has found that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a left wrist condition has been submitted. The veteran's current left wrist condition is probably related to his in-service injury, warranting service connection.

The Board has awarded service connection for a cervical spine disability. The remaining service connection issues will be remanded to the RO for further development, including consideration of additional evidence and clarification of representation.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left wrist was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board granted increased evaluations for LGLS and cervical spine conditions, but denied service connection for abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and CTS of the right wrist.

The Board denied service connection for CTS and an increased rating for the right forearm disability, finding no evidence of current CTS or a compensable disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and status postoperative laminotomy L5-S1, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist arthritis is likely aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder is not service-connected and does not meet the criteria for pension eligibility based on unemployability due to non-service connected disabilities. The veteran was denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various joint and spine conditions, as well as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to have the claim reconsidered on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the right wrist and denied his claim for service connection. The issue regarding psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right wrist injury, effective from the date service connection was established.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, and for compensable ratings for his residuals of a fracture of the left fifth finger and scar of the left wrist were denied. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.