Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support granting any of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected and have denied all claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury, and by extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran, his disability is due to an injury incurred in active service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as psoriasis with eczema craquelé are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notification.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection due to incomplete information, need for further examination, and potential changes in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for updated medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being reviewed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including duodenal ulcer disease, a psychiatric disorder, essential hypertension, chronic renal disease, left knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cyst of the right wrist, hepatitis C, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she claims are related to her service-connected cervical spine stenosis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the inadequacy of previous examinations and requests further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between her wrist conditions and her service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a hand or arm disability during service and no competent medical evidence linking current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture are not productive of ankylosis, non-union of the radius or ulna or more than mild sensory impairment. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and increased the rating for right wrist ganglion cyst removal to 10 percent, effective from August 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left wrist disability is being remanded to the RO for further consideration after initial review of new evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence.

The VA denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's myofascial syndrome of the right wrist, which has been rated as such since September 22, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The veteran's right wrist fracture with navicular non-union and ganglion cyst is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found that his functional loss did not equate to disability greater than limitation of dorsiflexion less than 15 degrees or palmar flexion limited in line with the forearm.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability, arthritis, or respiratory condition that is service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected left thumb injury disability is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted an extraschedular evaluation for the residuals of that condition. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his postoperative right wrist fracture residuals was denied.,The veteran has a history of service-connected injuries to both thumbs and wrists, with the left thumb injury being rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a post-operative right wrist scaphoid fracture and assigned a 10 percent initial disability rating.