Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The Board denied an increased evaluation for post traumatic arthritis of the right wrist, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis and thus not warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's status post-pyeloplasty obstruction of the right uertero-pelvic junction is rated at 40 percent, and his ganglion cyst of the left wrist remains noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's left wrist disability, manifested by ankylosis and pain with no neurological involvement, is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for compensation benefits for post-operative residuals of a left carpal tunnel release associated with VA surgery conducted in November 1991, finding that the additional disability was not caused by or aggravated by the procedure.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which have resulted in a need for personal assistance from others.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a disorder of the neck and spine, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his service-connected jaw disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for right wrist chronic synovitis with median and ulnar nerve irritation, effective from April 8, 1998. A separate 20 percent evaluation was also granted for left wrist chronic synovitis with median and ulnar nerve irritation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of right or left carpal tunnel syndrome and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea with cor pulmonale, polycythemia (claimed as secondary to sleep apnea), bilateral foot problems including pes planus and calcaneal spurs, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The reasons are that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The veteran's residuals of nondisplaced left wrist navicular fracture are granted as incurred during active service. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain are remanded for further development.

The veteran is seeking increased compensation for his service-connected left wrist ganglion cyst and wishes to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for left wrist fracture residuals. The RO has not yet determined the disposition of either issue, as it remains pending.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's right and left wrist disabilities, each rated at 30 percent. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right wrist disorder is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, discogenic disease of the spine (claimed as low back condition), and residuals of a right wrist fracture. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of vertigo or carpal tunnel syndrome, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disorder, finding that it more closely approximates a 50 percent rating based on severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, a heart murmur, and a left elbow disability. The appeals for headaches, ulcers, neck disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow and wrist disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's surgical scar of the left wrist does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it is small, nonpainful, and does not limit motion or function.

The veteran's disability rating for the fracture of the proximal head, right second metacarpal was increased to 10 percent effective from August 8, 2004.