Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's current upper extremity disabilities are not related to his active duty service and were more likely due to post-service employment.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the increased rating for a right wrist fracture. The case is now remanded for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for additional development at the RO level.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected residuals of excision of a ganglion cyst of the left wrist.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by limited motion and weakness, is currently rated at 10 percent under the schedular criteria. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and arthritis of the right index finger, but not for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The right hand disability was found to be present during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a ganglionectomy of the left wrist with scar do not warrant an evaluation higher than 20 percent, as his symptoms are characterized by slight pain and numbness, with slight loss of grip strength, and no limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and service connection for a low back disability. The claim for service connection for appendectomy, postoperative status was granted.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-service left wrist disability was aggravated by service, and thus granted service connection for a left wrist disability.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her bilateral knee and wrist disorders were denied as the current assigned ratings do not reflect the severity of her symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a back injury, right knee and bilateral ankle and leg disorders are granted. The issue of service connection for a right wrist and right hand disorder is remanded due to additional development needed under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which he claims is related to his duties as a clerk/typist in service and injuries sustained during service. The case is remanded due to deficiencies in the notice provided by the Board under the VCAA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist and leg/knee injuries, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder, are not related to service.

The Board has ordered a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's failure to respond to the RO's request for clarification regarding his choice of personal hearing type. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA medical records and an orthopedic and neurological examination to determine the extent of any additional disability resulting from a decompression of the medial nerve procedure in October 1984, as well as the severity of his service-connected left olecranon fracture with postoperative traumatic arthritic changes and ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected pernicious anemia and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, but denied entitlement to TDIU due to lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The VA has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and assigned an initial noncompensable rating, while chronic rhinitis remains without a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation, finding no evidence of a chronic right wrist disorder or degenerative joint disease in service. The veteran's current right wrist disabilities are attributed to his April 1994 motor vehicle accident.