Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of fracture of the right wrist and navicular bone with joint narrowing, as well as his service-connected postoperative residuals of partial patellectomy of the right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied.

The veteran is found to be so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 27, 2003. The claim for right wrist degenerative joint disease was reopened and granted based on evidence showing a relationship to active service.

The veteran's right wrist cyst was initially rated at noncompensable from July 27, 2002 to November 1, 2007 and then granted a 10 percent rating on and after November 2, 2007. The left wrist cyst did not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of injury to the left wrist and hand, as well as his service connection claims for arthritis of multiple joints (presumed), bilateral knees, heels, thoracic spine, and right hand and wrist. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability, including right hallux valgus and hammertoes, is related to service. Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from February 25, 2000 to August 1, 2002 and at 100% since then. The left wrist disability was rated at 20% since January 22, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist ganglion excision scar with limitation of motion warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist CTS, oculogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a right ankle sprain as secondary to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for bilateral hammertoes is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is related to his service-connected right upper extremity disabilities and grants this claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors and a lack of clinical evidence of these conditions during or following service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Lyme disease, arthritis of the fingers and wrists, and arthritis of the low back as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tendonitis of the right wrist or PTSD related to his military service and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for post left wrist ganglion cyst removal with residual scar and service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish service connection for bilateral wrist arthritis, left shoulder disability, or right shoulder disability. The veteran's claims were denied as there was no nexus to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The issue of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is now moot as it was granted by a December 2007 decision. The timely filing of a substantive appeal for the GERD claim has been confirmed.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist and left knee disabilities due to the absence of medical evidence of current disability. The veteran's right knee, right ankle, low back pain, scar (left lower eyelid), laceration of index finger with residual well-healed scar, and bilateral foot strain with plantar fasciitis are currently rated as 20% for each condition.