Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a corneal abrasion of the right eye and chronic fatigue syndrome. The knee pain was found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but other issues were not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's cancellation of his scheduled video conference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, back disability, left wrist disability, and right ankle disability. The claims of service connection for chronic headaches under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous systems of the right lower extremity warranted a 40% rating. However, it was determined that none of his other claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service and are not related to his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for appellant's left wrist disability from 10 percent to 0 percent was proper, and denied restoration of a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing at the RO in St. Louis, MO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a rating in excess of 30 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist, and 20 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist. Therefore, both issues have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease did not meet the criteria for a schedular disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU benefits prior to March 6, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture, finding that the current 10 percent disability rating is appropriate given the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for post-operative residuals of left and right carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's right wrist disability and lumbar spine disabilities, with the highest possible evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, prior to June 11, 2001, warrant a 20 percent rating based on limitation of pronation.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8515.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, joint pain involving elbows and wrists as due to an undiagnosed illness, and dermatitis of the elbows and back as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's current conditions are linked to her active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's two tender and painful scars, located on the left wrist, are separate disabilities and warrants a separate 10 percent rating for each.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions regarding her claimed conditions.