Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's right wrist pain at the ulnar head is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which aligns with the current service-connected condition. The claim for an increased rating remains in appellate status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neurological condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and skin condition. The veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of all issues before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polyarthralgias, including as due to undiagnosed illness is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The VA has granted service connection for the veteran's left wrist injury with degenerative joint disease and assigned a non-compensable rating, effective from March 9, 2001. The current evaluation of 30 percent is maintained.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right wrist disability and found that his Notice of Disagreement with respect to service connection for PTSD was untimely filed.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm is granted as service-connected. The veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent effective April 21, 2005.

The Board found that the appellant does not have any left wrist bone or joint disorder that is attributable to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of left wrist laceration, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 8516.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left big toe injury and residuals of a fractured wrist, to include arthritis, finding that there is no competent evidence diagnosing these disabilities associated with his active military duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service trauma or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing any injury or disease during active military service.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for inflammatory arthritis of the elbows, right wrist, and ankles due to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board denied a separate compensable evaluation for right wrist scars, finding that the veteran's scars are not painful or tender and do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of fractures of both wrists, as the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a right wrist and hand disability as secondary to his service-connected left hand disability status post fifth finger resection, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain additional records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the veteran's increased ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that they were not factually ascertainable to have occurred within one year of the claims filing date. The claim for an earlier effective date for psoriasis with eczema craquele was also denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the RO received a request for withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for his left ring finger fracture residuals, post-operative left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic headaches.

The veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent prior to June 30, 2000 and from that date. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent prior to February 23, 2000 and from that date.,The veteran's left elbow chip fracture does not warrant a compensable rating.