Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right wrist, finding that these residuals were manifested by pain on range of motion testing and tenderness between the scaphoid and lunate bones.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral wrist disability and left shoulder disability are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, low back and left hip disorders. This includes obtaining medical records from various healthcare providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as De Quervain's tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right wrist condition is rated at 40%, PTSD at 30%, and the left forearm condition at 10%. No other conditions or issues received a rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left or right wrist disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorders of the hands, wrists, and scalp to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which includes a fracture and subsequent radial ulnar arthroplasty, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to obtain additional records from a VA Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being reopened due to new evidence submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen any of his previously denied claims.

Effective from September 29, 1989 to September 7, 1998, the postoperative residuals of the ganglion cyst resulted in pain and slight limitation of motion. Effective from September 8, 1998, there were subjective complaints of pain with no objective findings.

The veteran's disabilities do not result in the need for regular personal assistance or protection from daily hazards, thus he is not entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision on the low back disorder is based on continuity of symptomatology during and after service, while the denial of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is due to lack of clear evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the appellant's right median nerve entrapment neuropathy at the wrist level (carpal tunnel syndrome) is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopened claim for a psychiatric disability. The veteran's other claims were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury, finding no current disability and thus no basis for granting such. The decision dismissed his appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his right wrist disability remains viable on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic acquired disorder of the right wrist. The appeal is now remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for service connection were all granted, with the exception of those concerning a bilateral hand and wrist disability.