Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder and entitlement to a compensable rating for his right wrist disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability or a bilateral hand condition (claimed as stiffness of the wrists and fingers) incurred in service. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection for the veteran's claimed left wrist and low back disorders. The claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development. The veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection related to motor vehicle accident injuries and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's fractures of the left wrist, elbow, and shoulder did not occur during his active military service. The Board concluded that there was no evidence to support a finding of aggravation or worsening of these conditions due to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder. Service connection for impairment of the left wrist and hand is denied, as there is no evidence linking this condition to his service-connected disabilities. The evaluation for limited supination of the left elbow remains at zero percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right elbow, right knee, and right wrist conditions as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his duodenal ulcer with spastic colon and residuals of a fractured right wrist, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board found that the appellant's right elbow and forearm injuries occurred during inactive duty training, but her carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by service. The residuals of injury to the right elbow and forearm were granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected left upper extremity weakness and paresthesia, status post left wrist surgery, effective September 13, 2000.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder and assigned a 10 percent initial disability rating for each wrist.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left wrist DJD, right knee DJD, blastomycosis, and peptic ulcer disease with hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux.

The Board found that the veteran's current symptoms and findings are not related to his original service-connected left forearm fracture, but rather to intercurrent postservice injuries. As such, he is not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a left forearm fracture.

The veteran's left wrist disability, following surgery in September 2000, is now rated at 30 percent disabling. The right wrist disability remains at 30 percent.

The veteran's right hand and wrist problems are not considered to be the result of VA medical treatment in February 1995, thus compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck injury and a gunshot wound of the left wrist, finding no link to service. The claim for residuals of a laceration of the left ear was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's residuals of chip fracture, right wrist with degenerative joint disease.

The evidence does not establish that the veteran's current right wrist disorder with scar on forearm is related to service, and thus his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 23, 1996 and a higher evaluation for his scapholunate instability of the left wrist. The veteran was granted service connection in July 1997 but the RO changed the diagnosis to scapholunate instability of the left wrist in April 2000.