Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic scoliosis and tension headaches, as well as his requests for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and laser retinoplasty. The veteran was not granted any new or higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his fatal cardiac arrhythmia was not caused by any disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy to the right shoulder, and compensable rating for laceration scar of the right wrist.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from VA facilities in Chicago. The issues of service connection and initial evaluations for his wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disorder, tinea versicolor, and candidiasis of the underarms. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10% for his left wrist disorder and right ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities. The maximum schedular evaluations available based on the current conditions were assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right wrist avascular necrosis warrant a 10 percent disability rating each, as these conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional impairment or ankylosis. The current 10 percent ratings are maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left wrist, finding that the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 18, 2001 for service connection for allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied. The Board has also remanded the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disorder is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disorder and a right elbow disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected low back disorder and service connection for tendonitis of the right wrist. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residual scar from her right wrist ganglion cyst excision warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as it is superficial and painful on examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The current evaluations assigned for his wrist, knee, and shoulder disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the examiner's assessment of the veteran's right ankle and to obtain his VA medical records from the San Juan VAMC.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, unspecified muscle and joint pain, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic gastritis and pancreatitis as due to an undiagnosed illness. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's arthritis of the left elbow, right knee, and hands is service-connected. The arthritis of the right elbow, right wrist, and knees are not service-connected.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left radial nerve damage, effective from the date of the decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is able to work part-time and attend school.