Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for synovitis of the ankles and right wrist because there is no current disability. Increased ratings were not granted for postoperative left knee chondromalacia patella (currently rated at 20%), left knee degenerative joint disease, or right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right ulnar dysesthesia and residuals of a right wrist fracture, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, back, wrist, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, hypoglycemia, carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, a cervical spine disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder. The Board also found that left carpel tunnel syndrome is not related to service.

The veteran has been granted service connection for residual scarring from a right wrist ganglion cyst, as well as bilateral shoulder disabilities including arthritis and rotator cuff syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a permanent need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying her claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's palsy and a right wrist disorder, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but assigned only a single 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and right hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The VA denied service connection for a right ankle and foot disability, as well as bilateral knee disabilities. The veteran's right wrist condition was diagnosed but the claim is still pending.

The veteran's ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are rated at 50 percent, while his left hand is rated at 40 percent. Both conditions are considered to be due to service-connected injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected foot and spine disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent or a compensable rating for his left foot disability, based on the evidence showing no significant functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left wrist arthritis and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an injury to the proximal shaft of the left radius and ulna with calcification, and decreased range of motion due to bone abnormality (left wrist condition), as well as his other increased rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left carpal tunnel syndrome and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current low back or left wrist disabilities that began during service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for service connection for Charcot's disease, and the RO's rating decisions of November 1976 and April 1981 were found to be correct.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome with traumatic arthritis of the right hand were denied. The RO granted service connection for this condition secondary to a pre-existing disability, evaluated as 30 percent disabling effective October 1, 2009.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right hand and wrist, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including a right knee condition, left knee condition, skin condition of the heels, feet, and toes, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and arthritic gout of the left foot.