Wrist & hand Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the veteran is capable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, fingers of the right hand, fingers of the left hand, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder have been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left wrist scaphoid fracture, hypertension, and tongue laceration with complex surgical repair do not warrant an initial compensable evaluation at any time since their effective dates.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the left hand or left wrist, and there is no evidence linking any such disabilities to his service-connected fracture of the left middle finger. As a result, the claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an additional right knee disability is dismissed as the issue has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for residuals of a right total knee replacement.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for joint and muscle pain due to undiagnosed illness, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The veteran's chronic bilateral wrist joint pains are presumed to have resulted from an undiagnosed illness during active military service in Southwest Asia.

The veteran's service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome with right wrist flexion contracture and loss of function of thumb and index finger of the major arm is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet his claim for a higher rating.,The veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has granted service connection for a disability of the left forearm, manifested by a scar and weakness. Service connection was denied for cervical spine, left shoulder, and headaches.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and disabilities of the wrists, knees, and ankles. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. For the wrist, knee, and ankle conditions, there is no competent medical evidence showing that these conditions are related to service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected chronic headaches and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, arthritis of the left and right knees, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed left and right wrist conditions, finding no evidence of a relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The March 1986 rating decision denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist was not timely appealed, and therefore remains final. The veteran's request to reopen the claim in May 2001 resulted in a grant of service connection with an effective date of May 2, 2001.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected right wrist fusion, effective from February 24, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional evidence regarding whether the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability or if it was caused by in-service occupational duties.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for stomach, double vision of the right eye, low back pain, bilateral elbow and wrist conditions, and a right hand condition. The veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, effective from the date of the October 2003 decision granting service connection.