Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the left wrist in post proximal carpectomy status is being remanded due to a lack of information about the degree of ankylosis and functional loss, as well as notification issues under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased rating, and thus his claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for residuals of gunshot wound to the left wrist with fracture of the distal ulna and retained metallic fragments, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are each rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right wrist fracture and major depressive disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The appellant's current diagnoses were not linked to his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The RO must provide the veteran with a VA examination and obtain any outstanding medical records before deciding on the merits of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right thumb injury and denied service connection for residuals of right hand and wrist injury. The veteran's current right thumb injuries are related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, and left leg disability are denied. Service connection is granted for a right index finger scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was aggravated during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for compression of the ulnar nerve of the left wrist secondary to lipoma is remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claims will be reviewed again after necessary development, including obtaining medical opinions and ensuring proper VCAA notification.

The Board found no evidence of scars on the hands and wrists or an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service. The appellant's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's joint pain to service or any presumptive conditions, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for residuals of a left wrist injury, right hand disability (claimed as residuals of right fourth finger injury), but denied service connection on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis. The left ankle lymphedema claim is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ulnar nerve impairment and left carpal tunnel syndrome did not develop as a result of his service-connected left hand laceration and fractures, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right ankle instability and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The claim of initial rating for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has been granted.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination of his right wrist fracture.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right wrist are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional functional limitation or other criteria.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a left wrist injury was granted. The condition is considered direct, not related to any specific exposure basis or presumption.