Wrist & hand Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability is denied. The current evaluation fully contemplates the level of disability due to his service-connected left wrist disability under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently experience any of the claimed disabilities and therefore service connection for foot disability due to cold injury, disability manifested by numbness of the hands and legs, left wrist disability, or right wrist disability is denied.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral wrist fractures, show him to be unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a VA pension based on these conditions.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20% and the right shoulder, wrist, and left lower extremity cellulitis disorders are all rated as noncompensable. The initial ratings for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected status post carpal tunnel release, left and right wrists as there is no evidence showing that the disabilities are more than 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of laceration to the left forearm and ulnar nerve with left ring finger deformity, effective from August 8, 1992. The veteran's service-connected left wrist laceration scar is rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations due to his current functional status and lack of blindness, anatomical loss or use of both hands.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected keloid scars, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and posttraumatic ligament injury to the right wrist do not warrant an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision being made.

The veteran's service-connected CTS, right wrist is currently rated at 30 percent effective April 15, 2000. The RO increased the rating from noncompensable to 30 percent based on a VA examination conducted in April 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome developed coincidentally with his treatment during a VA hospitalization in August 1997, and thus did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the condition is not related to the veteran's service-connected right middle finger condition.

The veteran's arthritis of the right wrist, post traumatic, combined with postoperative changes with fusions is currently rated at 40 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to unfavorable ankylosis.

The veteran does not have any current diagnosed disabilities of the wrists, knees, or lumbar spine. The Board finds that service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for emphysema, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral wrist condition (claimed as wrist pain).

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying her claim.

The veteran's service-connected chronic left (major) lateral epicondylitis and status post fracture of the right wrist are currently evaluated at noncompensable ratings. The Board found that there is no evidence of significant limitation of motion or loss of function due to pain, which prevents a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected synovitis of the right wrist does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no ankylosis and no evidence of instability or fatigability. The highest available rating under applicable diagnostic criteria is 10 percent.