Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was not well-grounded due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. The claims for increased evaluations for right and left wrist disabilities remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder, including tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals by the appellant. The claim for a chronic back disability remains pending.

The Board has found that the veteran's chronic headaches are service-connected. However, his claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating for pension purposes was denied. The Board found that he failed to present evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for back and lower extremity disabilities under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is well-grounded and remanded for further development. The case will be returned to the Board for final adjudication.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected right wrist and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist scar, finding that there was no evidence of tender or painfulness on objective demonstration and no functional impairment.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his ganglion cyst of the right wrist was denied by the RO. The RO did not obtain all relevant medical records and failed to provide a VA examination.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to a 20 percent rating for postoperative residuals of a right wrist injury, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further adjudication due to inconsistencies in the electromyogram results and need for clarification of the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including potential carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral nerve disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which is rated as 30 percent disabling due to moderate incomplete paralysis, does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right wrist disability claimed to be due to or aggravated by medical treatment provided by the VA is not well-grounded, and denied the claim. The increased rating claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was also considered but no decision was made as it required additional development.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus granted service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his residuals of a right wrist fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue, and no service connection issues are currently pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, asthma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, it found that these claims are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the claim as not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking a right wrist injury in service to current residuals.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that his left hand disabilities contributed to cause or at least worsened this condition. The issue of TDIU is also addressed.