Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg and hip condition, finding no current disability. The right wrist ganglion cyst was rated as noncompensable under the old rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, effective November 15, 2001. His right elbow and left wrist skin graft conditions are each rated as non-compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disability is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Board found that there is no current disability of the right wrist and thus denied service connection for residuals of a ganglion cyst.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of frostbite of the hands, finding no symptomatology related to the service-connected condition and concluding that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and a skin condition. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board denied increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists, currently rated at 50% and 40%, respectively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which was initially granted service connection for in August 1994 and increased to 10 percent effective from separation from service in August 1998, does not warrant a higher rating since it is currently manifested by slight limitation of motion, pain, fatigability, mild weakness, and incoordination. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence and notification regarding revised regulations.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no objective medical evidence indicating that the EMG and NCV studies performed in September 1996 caused his current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right wrist disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to disease or injury sustained in service and not related to his service-connected left wrist disability.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent effective July 13, 1994. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and information from the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted service connection for a scar on the right upper lip but assigned a no percent rating.

The VA has granted a higher disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture with osteoarthritis, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current medical evidence. The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities significantly impacted his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, right ankle disorder, low back strain, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, postoperative residuals of reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligaments of the left ankle with traumatic arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hypertension. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are already in effect for his left knee and left ankle disorders.