Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability, low back disability or arthritis of the hands, wrists and knees due to service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective September 14, 2005. The right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent effective September 14, 2005.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether they are related to his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture warrant only a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum provided by the Rating Schedule for this disability. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's DJD of the left wrist with CTS, finding that his symptoms were best described as mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve without limitation of motion or X-ray findings of degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for post-operative bilateral hip disability and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal of fourteen service connection issues due to his request for withdrawal. The only remaining issue is tinnitus, which was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hand injury does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it only manifests in a small exostosis without any limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left hand and wrist injury with left median neuropathy more nearly approximates disability consistent with moderate incomplete nerve paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, low back, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The highest rating of 50 percent has been granted for the status post right wrist fusion since May 1, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left wrist and ulnar fractures of the forearm have been denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture, characterized by arthritis and minimal range of motion, warrant a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a higher disability rating for chronic wrist strain are not before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are etiologically related to her period of active service.,The Board also found that the veteran's right hand and wrist disorder is etiologically related to her period of active service.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist injury with carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 50 percent, and his arthritis of the right hand finger joints is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that both conditions meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the previous denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied, but he received an effective date of August 1, 2001 for the award of service connection for lumbar strain, left hip bursitis, left knee tendonitis, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the right shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability.