Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic bilateral shoulder disorder, wrist disorder, and hip disorder as these conditions were not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating and earlier effective dates for his shell fragment wounds, as he did not perfect a timely or adequate appeal on these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of laceration of left ulnar nerve, left wrist (minor) warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The VA determined that postoperative residuals of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist with loss of motion of the thumb do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a lost hearing transcript, and he has been offered the opportunity for another personal hearing at the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The VA granted an increased disability rating of 10% for the veteran's service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst, effective August 3, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ganglion cyst of the right wrist, bilateral pes planus, and left knee strain. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's right wrist condition, which is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected residuals of fractured right wrist and left pubis rami, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disorder and a right wrist disorder. The other issues on appeal are related to sinusitis, Achilles tendon disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder.

The veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by swelling, limitation of motion and pain, results in the equivalent of favorable ankylosis in 20 degrees to 30 degrees dorsiflexion. The criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The RO must obtain all relevant records, including vocational rehabilitation records and any outstanding service personnel records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board found no residuals of wrist injuries incurred in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection. The Board also found no residuals of exposure to herbicides or 'constant otic development' due to service, and denied these claims as well.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no current disability for VA purposes and that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected CTS does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, or render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring due process of law.