Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to or aggravated by a left ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are not before the Board due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including furnishing the veteran with proper VCAA notice and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his right wrist disability and depression.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining exposure to asbestos.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right wrist do not warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent, as his symptoms are consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects in the notification and development of her claims for service connection for right wrist disability and an increased rating for left wrist disability. The case will be returned to the RO after necessary actions are taken.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, he is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death. As such, DIC benefits were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from August 20, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's request for additional VA vocational rehabilitation services due to his refusal to cooperate with a needs assessment, which prevented an informed determination regarding his reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for service connection for a chronic acquired eye disorder, hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for DJD of the cervical spine at C5-6.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome will be reconsidered after this process.

The Board denied all service connection claims and the claim for an increased evaluation for scoliosis of the lumbar spine. The case is being remanded to develop evidence and consider the claims again.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle achilles tendonitis, chronic sinusitis, and right wrist tendonitis were incurred in service. The claim for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is denied as there are no residuals of this condition at discharge from service. The ingrown toenail of the right great toe was also shown to be present during service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right foot disability present, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder impingement syndrome, but denied an initial compensable evaluation for post traumatic arthritis of the right wrist.

The Board denied increased disability evaluations for the veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture and dislocation with traumatic arthritis, left wrist fracture, and coccyx disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right carpal tunnel syndrome and an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for residuals of right metacarpal fracture, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current disabilities and the service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left eye disorder and granted it on the merits. The Board also granted service connection for a left hand/wrist disability, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to in-service shell fragment wounds.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and gunshot wound of the right elbow are being remanded to allow for additional development.