Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound residuals in the left upper arm, right leg (Muscle Group XII), and right axilla region are not rated higher than their current evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right wrist fracture, service connection for right knee disability, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability. The RO found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of laceration of the right wrist, with tenosynovitis and neuroma of the right median nerve is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has a low back disorder and that it is related to his service. The claims for service connection for left knee, wrist, and shoulder disorders are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his residuals of a gunshot wound of the right wrist, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the left thumb, finding that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of cervical spine condition and service connection for residuals of right ankle sprain, right shoulder strain, left wrist injury, sinusitis/myalgia, and spinal tap. The veteran appealed these decisions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations of sinusitis, right shoulder injury, and ligament injury to the right wrist as there were no timely substantive appeals filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities. The veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was also not granted an initial compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected fractured right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for internal derangement of the left knee and denied any increase in rating for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist with arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for disability of the right upper extremity, including the shoulder. The decision is based on the evidence and reasoning provided in the original decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist as secondary to a service-connected disability. The veteran is currently seeking further clarification on his burn pit exposure claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disorder, which includes traumatic arthritis and Kienbock's disease, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected ganglion cyst of the right wrist, calluses of the right foot, and compensable rating for calluses of the left foot. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for each of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and specially adaptive equipment, as well as financial assistance in purchasing special adaptive housing. The appeals were dismissed due to the Court's remand order.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and left wrist disabilities, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, PTSD, ocular disability, diarrhea, sinus problems, skin rashes, joint pains, nerve problems in the legs, leg cramps, burning feet, paralysis of the left side of the face, left hand and wrist injury, headaches, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and total compensation rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no current medical diagnosis for the claimed conditions of allergies, tendonitis of the left wrist, elevated cholesterol readings, and syncope or blackouts. Therefore, service connection was denied.