Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating of her service-connected residual scar, postoperative status resection of ganglion cyst, right wrist was denied by the Board. She currently receives a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gum disease was denied as periodontitis is not a disability for which VA compensation may be awarded.,For the period of July 1, 2001, to September 6, 2005, the veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent based on arthritis with minimal limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist condition, bilateral knee conditions (left elbow), and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's income was also found to be excessive for purposes of entitlement to VA pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the wrists, hands, shoulders, back and hips. The medical opinions obtained do not support a link between her service or her service-connected bilateral knee disorder and any currently diagnosed disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left hand and/or wrist disability is not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, low back disorder, PTSD, malaria, and right wrist fracture residuals. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, finding no current disabilities or objective evidence of chronicity.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 25, 1996 for a 50 percent rating for residuals of a right wrist fracture. The decision found that there was no indication of intent to apply for an increased disability rating prior to March 25, 1997 and the evidence did not show entitlement to an earlier effective date based on private medical evidence from March 1992.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of both knees, as well as reopening his claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist condition. The veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, left foot, and left wrist disabilities. The RO assigned a maximum disability rating of 10 percent for the right wrist.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for disability of the cervical spine. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and left shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tear were not addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for PTSD, but not for his right shoulder or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and a specific examination to determine the nature and cause of his wrist condition and skin disorder.

The veteran's service-connected left elbow disability warrants a combined 30 percent rating based on arthritis with painful motion and neurological impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with duty-to-notify-and-assist requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dental condition, right wrist injury, and skin disorder of the lower legs and feet were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ulnar nerve compression, right and left wrist tendinitis, and left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome. The current ratings of 30 percent for left ulnar nerve compression and 10 percent each for right and left wrist tendinitis are maintained.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an increased rating for lumbosacral strain. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities and determine whether she meets the criteria for increased ratings or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.