Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology and severity of the veteran's disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the wrists and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected disabilities were denied by the Board. The appeals are not about service connection, but rather about the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis. The lumbosacral strain with arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 23, 2002.

The veteran's chronic lumbrosacral strain myostitis, major depression, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), status post left wrist fracture, status post right wrist facture, and left knee osteoarthritis prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist tendonitis and left ankle disability, but denied service connection for right hand condition, right ankle condition (undiagnosed illness), bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hip or foot conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right wrist disability, degenerative joint disease, is causally related to his in-service injury and thus service connection for a right wrist disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current arthritis of the hands or carpal tunnel syndrome, and that these conditions are not related to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of bone chip, right wrist. The evidence showed that the veteran had dorsiflexion of 70 degrees and periodic pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, right wrist, and major depression disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's degenerative joint disease, right wrist and thumb (major), bringing it to a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, depression, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hypertension are all service-connected.,However, it is noted that these conditions were not shown during active duty or within one year of separation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right wrist disability and service connection for chronic fatigue and respiratory symptoms.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for degenerative joint disease, left knee or arthritis, right wrist. The claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the wrists and hands, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis and increased the rating for biceps tendonitis of the right shoulder to 30 percent, effective December 4, 2007. The veteran's claims for other conditions are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and addressing the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not show an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the veteran's injury occurred during service and is related to his current symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the scaphoid bone with DJD warranted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective from April 5, 2008.