Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected postoperative fracture of the right wrist with severe degenerative joint disease, right radius is granted. The effective date remains July 20, 1999, as he was previously evaluated at 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5211. A separate claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable evaluation for his surgical scar on the right wrist is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, a right elbow disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected right shoulder myofascial scapular syndrome and lumbar strain were denied. The case was remanded to the RO due to an issue with service connection for a right forearm and wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and clavicle disability, diagnosed as frozen right shoulder, is due to his service-connected anxiety psychoneurosis.

The veteran's claim for compensation under Section 1151 was denied because the additional disability did not result from VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current wrist disorders are related to service. The VA will conduct a new examination and provide an opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ulnar dysesthesia and residuals of a right wrist fracture due to incomplete information in the claims file, including lack of recent VA examination reports. The veteran is requested to provide any relevant SSA disability claim documentation.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right wrist fusion and left knee injury with traumatic arthritis, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability warrants a 40 percent disability rating, reflecting severe arthritis and significant muscle atrophy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist injury residuals and CTS, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a left wrist condition due to new medical evidence submitted by the appellant. The examiner opined that the veteran's current left wrist condition may have been aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left wrist is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, compensation benefits, and unemployability are pending.

The VA denied increased ratings for arthritis of the left wrist, finding that the condition warranted a maximum rating of 20 percent since August 19, 2002.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome with deQuervain's tendonitis of the right and left upper extremities are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is now service-connected for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right wrist fracture.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a broken right wrist due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issue of an increased disability rating for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of Darrach procedure, right wrist, effective July 8, 2002.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for knee injuries and wrist strain, as well as incomplete evaluations of left shin fracture residuals. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and consider staged ratings if appropriate.