Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus the appellant is not entitled to burial benefits based on service-connected death.

The Board denied an increased rating for the non-neurological residuals of a laceration of the right wrist, maintaining the current 10 percent rating.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's status post sympathetic reflex dystrophy, left wrist and forearm.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and compliance with VCAA requirements. The claim for special monthly compensation is also being remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A VA examination will also be conducted to assess the current severity of his service-connected right wrist disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the knees. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for scoliosis of the cervicothoracic spine with radiculopathy of the shoulders and wrist is remanded due to need for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right shoulder and bilateral wrist conditions are being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability claim information.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a current bilateral wrist disorder or low back disorder, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The current ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and right wrist fracture are 50%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected right wrist limitation of motion, citing clinical findings and diagnostic criteria.

The veteran is seeking service connection for scars resulting from a bicycle accident in June 1992, which he claims was caused by his service-connected right knee disability. The VA has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the right knee disability and the 1992 accident.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected residuals of fractured left elbow with shortening and deformity do not warrant a rating greater than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional examination of the right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and established an effective date of April 24, 2003. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the right wrist disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for numbness in the fingertips of the left hand since January 8, 2002. The veteran's condition prior to this date was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has ordered additional development of the evidence due to procedural concerns. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist and left ankle joints from July 28, 1998 is now pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left wrist, which he claimed as a residual of a shell fragment wound. The case was remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disorder and residuals of a right wrist burn do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under applicable VA rating criteria. The current evaluations are deemed adequate.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5211.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability prior to May 2, 2002. The claim was also denied for ratings in excess of 30 and 40 percent from May 2, 2002, through May 28, 2004, and since May 29, 2004, respectively.