Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for post-operative bilateral hip disability and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal of fourteen service connection issues due to his request for withdrawal. The only remaining issue is tinnitus, which was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hand injury does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it only manifests in a small exostosis without any limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left hand and wrist injury with left median neuropathy more nearly approximates disability consistent with moderate incomplete nerve paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, low back, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The highest rating of 50 percent has been granted for the status post right wrist fusion since May 1, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left wrist and ulnar fractures of the forearm have been denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture, characterized by arthritis and minimal range of motion, warrant a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a higher disability rating for chronic wrist strain are not before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are etiologically related to her period of active service.,The Board also found that the veteran's right hand and wrist disorder is etiologically related to her period of active service.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist injury with carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 50 percent, and his arthritis of the right hand finger joints is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that both conditions meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the previous denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied, but he received an effective date of August 1, 2001 for the award of service connection for lumbar strain, left hip bursitis, left knee tendonitis, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the right shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of her period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) beyond September 24, 2004 due to a lack of medical evidence showing that she was prevented from initiating or completing a program of education during the delimiting period.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of a 10% rating for residuals of right thumb fracture was denied as the increase in severity within one year prior to May 30, 2003 is not factually ascertainable.

The veteran's claim for earlier effective date was denied as the proper effective date is the date of receipt of his claim, which was August 19, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's current left wrist disorder was not incurred or aggravated in active service and may not be presumed to have incurred therein.

The veteran is seeking a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to multiple non-service connected disabilities that prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his disabilities.

The veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are currently rated as noncompensable, and his right shoulder surgery residuals are rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his right shoulder surgery residuals, but the evidence does not support such a finding.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or an undiagnosed illness.