Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective February 27, 2001. The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to that date was denied. Service connection for a left wrist disorder and a back disorder were both denied. The veteran also received a grant of TDIU effective February 27, 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected right wrist disability and an initial compensable rating for a service-connected right wrist scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a laceration of the right wrist with ulnar nerve damage, atrophy and impaired use do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a TDIU are being remanded due to procedural and evidentiary defects. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing and issuance of a statement of the case on his right knee arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are not sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome did not originate in service and is not related to his service-connected acute extensor tendonitis of the left forearm, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his right carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the appellant's migraine headaches are no more than occasionally prostrating and thus do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The issues regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, leg/knee pain, and swollen fingers/ankles/hands were also denied as service connection was decided on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability involving his left shoulder, wrist, or depression as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The issues on appeal are whether the veteran is entitled to service connection for a cervical spine disability, a psychiatric disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety neurosis and carpal tunnel syndrome are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied these claims. The scar evaluation remains unchanged as it is within the normal range for a residual scar.

The Board has granted the veteran increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist fracture, left leg muscle injury due to gunshot wound, and left leg gunshot wound scar. The nasal septum deviation is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the veteran's claims, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and a VA joints examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his renal cyst, hemorrhoids, and scars. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service connection claim for chronic left biceps tendon rupture residuals was granted. The claims for the other conditions were remanded.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound of the right foot are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound of the left foot with retained foreign bodies are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound of the right hand and wrist are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a left knee, left wrist, or right foot injury or disability during service and no post-service medical evidence supports the veteran's claims for these conditions. As such, the claims are denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 16, 1992 for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia. The claims for increased evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome of both hands have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and determining whether an adequate VCAA letter has been issued. The veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral wrist condition classified as carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.