Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, osteoarthritis of the left wrist, and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for allergic/vasomotor rhinitis with headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right wrist disability, and lumbosacral strain (back).

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are not well-grounded and have denied them. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion to include headaches and pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran is not entitled to payment or reimbursement by VA for medical expenses incurred at Valley Lutheran Hospital from October 13, 1996, to October 15, 1996.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's left ulnar nerve release or carpal tunnel syndrome is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left wrist laceration. As such, the claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking his current conditions to his active service or chemical exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, PCT, skin cancer, breathing problems (COPD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied.

The veteran asserts that his right wrist and forearm disability has worsened since a previous VA examination in May 1998. The Board finds this claim plausible and requests a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a disability of the right hand and wrist secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound to the right index finger, and a compensable rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right index finger. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including hypertension, mild pulmonary obstruction, and bilateral pes planus, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as his combined disability evaluation is only 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not have asthma, coronary artery disease and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a chronic gastrointestinal condition (to include ulcers and gastritis) incurred during service. The claims were denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's left wrist disorder and VA medical treatment in 1994, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The RO denied higher initial evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a fracture of the ulna, and hemorrhoids. The claims for sinusitis, stomach disorder, labyrinthitis, otitis media, right wrist disorder, and lung disorder with sleep disturbances are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of excision of a tumor of the left hand and residuals of a ganglion cyst of the left wrist do not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral arm disability is related to his service-connected cervical spine disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder is not well grounded and denied it. The effective date request was also denied as there was no evidence submitted within one year of notification.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, and thus denied them.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and dizziness, as well as for increased ratings for bilateral wrist injuries, are not well grounded. The claim for service connection is denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee, right knee, and left wrist disabilities are currently rated at 10% each, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current VA regulations. Therefore, any further increase in ratings is not warranted.