Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar syndrome with X-ray evidence of scoliosis and arthritis, early degenerative changes of both wrists, and glaucoma and cataracts. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and hearing requests.

The VA denied an increased rating for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis of the left wrist, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without assistance and the lack of structural adaptations needed in his home.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for eye disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of competent medical evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar muscle strain, finding that the veteran initially manifested this condition during active service. The other issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been remanded.

The Board found no competent evidence showing that the veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of a left wrist fracture, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's request for a special home adaptation grant was denied, and the appeal regarding the January 2005 grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the ulna or radius.

The VA has granted a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for the service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture due to convalescence, and then reassigned an evaluation of 10 percent effective October 1, 2006. The veteran's disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 13, 1972 for a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected right wrist disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Gulf War Syndrome were denied. His initial evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the right wrist and alopecia areata were also denied.

The veteran is attempting to reopen a claim of service connection for gout and seeking entitlement to service connection for bilateral wrists carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as peripheral neuropathy with essential tremor) and PTSD. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA and VA facilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as there remains some question regarding whether these conditions are attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder disability, service connection for prostatitis, left elbow injury, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and chronic adjustment disorder.,Service connection was not granted for any condition as the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for healed fracture of the left wrist with osteoarthritis is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the veteran's representative prior to the decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The right wrist fracture claim was not granted, and the jaw disability claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome did not have its onset during service and is not presumed to be related to military service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding that the condition began in or was caused by service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for nonunion of the lower half of the left radius with loss of bone substance and marked deformity, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 10 percent disability rating is also granted for painful scars on the left wrist.