Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The Board has granted an effective date of March 17, 1999 for a Total Disability Evaluation for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The veteran's claim was pending since July 12, 1998 and the RO initially granted TDIU retroactively to that date.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's ganglion cyst of the right wrist, finding that the current evaluation of 10 percent is the maximum possible due to limitation of motion without ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the original ratings of 30% and 20% for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists, respectively, should be November 16, 2001. The issues regarding service connection for other disabilities remain unresolved.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture, finding that his disability did not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ring finger, long finger and wrist disorders and an increased rating for his right knee disability. The Board found no competent or objective medical evidence of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left arm disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and benefits due to lack of evidence showing a claim prior to September 9, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of an injury to the right wrist and hand, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected postoperative residuals of a right wrist injury, currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist fracture, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist fracture with ankylosis warrants a 40 percent rating, which is higher than the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right wrist wound and disfiguring scars, finding that there was no evidence of exceptional disability or new evidence warranting reopening.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand disabilities, IBS, and generalized fibromyalgia, are not service connected. The decision is denied.

The Board found no basis for a rating in excess of 20 percent under Code 5213, as the evidence did not show additional functional loss due to pain that would further limit motion.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she claims began during her military service. The Board has ordered a remand to provide the veteran with an examination and review of her case.

The veteran's right wrist disorder is asymptomatic, while his right shoulder disorder is manifested by pain with abduction to 85 degrees. His service-connected right wrist and shoulder disorders are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to ascertain whether the need for specially adapted housing cited by Dr. Roberts is attributable to specific service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his left wrist fracture, histoplasmosis, and Scheurmann's disease of the thoracic spine. The decision found that the left wrist fracture did not occur in the line of duty and denied reopening of the claims for histoplasmosis and Scheurmann's disease.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right wrist fracture disability effective from July 29, 1996. The case was also referred to determine if an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notifications and a need for further medical examination.