Wrist & hand Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence.

The VA denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's myofascial syndrome of the right wrist, which has been rated as such since September 22, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The veteran's right wrist fracture with navicular non-union and ganglion cyst is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found that his functional loss did not equate to disability greater than limitation of dorsiflexion less than 15 degrees or palmar flexion limited in line with the forearm.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability, arthritis, or respiratory condition that is service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected left thumb injury disability is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted an extraschedular evaluation for the residuals of that condition. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his postoperative right wrist fracture residuals was denied.,The veteran has a history of service-connected injuries to both thumbs and wrists, with the left thumb injury being rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a post-operative right wrist scaphoid fracture and assigned a 10 percent initial disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right wrist, finding that these residuals were manifested by pain on range of motion testing and tenderness between the scaphoid and lunate bones.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral wrist disability and left shoulder disability are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, low back and left hip disorders. This includes obtaining medical records from various healthcare providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as De Quervain's tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right wrist condition is rated at 40%, PTSD at 30%, and the left forearm condition at 10%. No other conditions or issues received a rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left or right wrist disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorders of the hands, wrists, and scalp to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which includes a fracture and subsequent radial ulnar arthroplasty, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to obtain additional records from a VA Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being reopened due to new evidence submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen any of his previously denied claims.

Effective from September 29, 1989 to September 7, 1998, the postoperative residuals of the ganglion cyst resulted in pain and slight limitation of motion. Effective from September 8, 1998, there were subjective complaints of pain with no objective findings.