Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of her National Guard service periods.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to her hip replacement, left wrist fracture, and other medical conditions has been established. She is entitled to special monthly pension at a higher rate.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected synovitis of the right wrist, and noted that he was currently able to perform fine movements like typing and writing despite stiffness over the course of a day.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left wrist arthritis does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorders and right knee and wrist conditions. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for various knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the January 25, 2006 decision that denied an earlier effective date for left ulnar nerve damage. The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 22, 1979 for service-connected disabilities resulting from a September 1979 motor vehicle accident.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VCAA notice and an opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened, and his claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, residuals of nasal fracture, dermatitis of the back, and right wrist ganglion cyst were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for sinusitis is set at February 23, 2005.,The veteran's claim for an increase in rating for his service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture was granted with an effective date of September 20, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were evaluated and denied, with no specific effective dates provided.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for CTS of the left and right wrists, circulation problems of the bilateral lower extremities, low back disability, and gout. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain, diagnosed as mild arthritis of the right first PIP joint, bilateral wrist tendonitis, and bilateral elbow tendonitis, is etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied the extension of a temporary total disability evaluation beyond August 31, 2004 due to left wrist surgery convalescence and the TDIU claim.

The veteran's service-connected left radius and ulna fractures have resulted in ankylosis of the elbow joint, preventing pronation and supination. The RO has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left wrist disorders, as well as his left ankle disorder, are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating, as they are currently rated appropriately under existing criteria.

The veteran's right shoulder, left wrist, and left knee disabilities have been granted. However, the service connection for a left shoulder disability has not been established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as full range of motion was found and no limitation of motion is present.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and the need for additional development, including a VA opinion on whether his right wrist disorder is related to his service-connected left thumb disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to active service.