Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of the conditions listed. The claims are denied.

The veteran's left wrist fusion is rated at 20 percent, and a separate compensable rating for the associated surgical scar has been granted. The veteran's left hip bone graft does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's right wrist median nerve disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,Prior to September 26, 2005, the veteran's left leg scar was manifested by tenderness on palpation and objective findings of well-healed scars measuring 34 centimeters (cm) and 5 to 10 cm long. Beginning September 26, 2005, the veteran's left leg scar is manifested by subjective complaints of pain and tenderness on palpation and objective findings of a well-healed scar measuring 0.5 x 34 centimeters (cm). The right wrist scar was also rated as 10 percent prior to September 26, 2005.

The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right wrist fracture residuals since March 26, 2004. The condition is rated based on characteristic pain on motion with degenerative changes in the joint.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. His left wrist disability is not shown to be related to his military service, while his elbow and tibia disabilities are currently rated as they should be based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of his hypertension claim were denied. His left wrist synovitis was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or clinically significant functional impairment due to pain.

The Board has granted increased ratings for gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, right wrist disability, and appendectomy scar. The veteran's pancreatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral wrist disability that developed due to the use of crutches following knee surgery. The Board has determined that further medical evaluation and opinion are needed to determine if the current wrist condition is related to the prolonged use of crutches.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and right wrist disability are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left arm injury, back injury, right wrist and thumb injury, or left leg gunshot wound that are related to service.

The Board has determined that arthritis of the left wrist was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to be so incurred. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.