Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The veteran's right wrist disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective February 20, 1999. His left shoulder condition remains at a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's combined service connected disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that while he has significant functional impairment, it does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hand and wrist disability warrants a rating of 60 percent, effective from September 1997.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist and an abdominal lipoma are granted. The claim for an epigastric hernia is denied.

The veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture have been rated at 10 percent since February 24, 1999. The Board has determined that the current rating is appropriate and no higher rating can be assigned under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's arthritis of the left leg is service-connected and proximately due to his service-connected shell fragment wounds of the right forearm.,The veteran's residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right forearm with arthritis of the right wrist are manifested by muscle weakness, pain, and limited motion, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected as arthritis of the acromion process, which is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle disorder. The right wrist disorder and hemorrhoids are not service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran does not have arthritis affecting his left leg, elbow, shoulder, wrist or back which is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his right wrist disability, maintaining it at 10 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability warrants a compensable (10%) evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia repair scar and left wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis do not warrant evaluations in excess of the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%), and he has other service-connected disabilities that render him unable to work. His hearing loss, hand injuries, shoulder injuries, ankle injury, wrist injury, and leg injury are all rated as they should be based on their severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, a temporary total convalescent evaluation following surgery in April 1992, and an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right hand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his skin disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and varicose veins. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly DIC based on being housebound due to her disabilities, finding that she was not substantially confined to her home or immediate premises.

The Board granted a single 50 percent rating for the residuals of a gunshot wound to the left wrist and little and ring fingers, effective October 8, 1992. The veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 30 percent since December 1967.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) should be July 14, 1998, as this corresponds to when the veteran became unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned for the right long metacarpal boss. Service connection was also established for arthritis of the right wrist and numbness of the right leg.

The VA determined that the veteran's left wrist disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation based on the schedular criteria.