Wrist & hand decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids. The veteran's depressive and anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, left wrist fracture, and liver injury. The veteran's current disabilities are not presumed to be related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, residuals of a left wrist injury, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the left hip, groin pull (claimed as groin disorder), arthritis (excluding left wrist and right foot), and skin rash classified as chronic, recurrent dermatitis mostly affecting the groin and lower abdomen.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right wrist disability and denied service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of muscle involvement or ankylosis warranting higher ratings. The veteran's personality disorder was found to be not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the hips, residuals of a left clavicle injury, and a right wrist disorder. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the issues of increased ratings for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral knee and right ankle conditions. The left ankle disorder and right wrist disorder are also found to be secondary to these service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to the right forearm did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The claim for carpal tunnel syndrome was referred due to its nonservice-connected nature.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a left wrist disability, left arm disability (claimed as left tennis elbow), back disability, sub-deltoid bursitis of the left shoulder, and right ankle disability. The RO also granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of both knees with a 10 percent rating.

The February 10, 1972 rating decision denying the veteran's TDIU claim was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as she did not meet the requirements for such benefits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected skin disorder of the feet and right wrist does not warrant a rating in excess of zero percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the veteran's hands, finding that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for right common peroneal nerve paresis, and increased ratings for right wrist fracture residuals with arthritic changes and left elbow fracture residuals with arthritic changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist is related to repetitive motion activities performed in service and granted entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, chronic prostate disorder, gout, chronic left wrist disorder, and chronic chest disorder as the result of Agent Orange exposure. The acquired eye disorder is not considered a compensable disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left heel disability other than plantar fasciitis and right carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right plantar fasciitis, status post release, with heel spurs was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not sufficient to produce unemployability. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected anxiety reaction on his ability to work.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for ankylosis of the left wrist and a separate compensable rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hip disorders. The RO previously granted service connection for hemorrhoids but assigned a noncompensable rating.