Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation from December 12, 1996 to January 2, 1997 due to lack of immobilization by cast.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection of residuals of a left wrist injury, as there is no medical evidence showing current disability related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for gunshot wounds to the right foot, left wrist, and burns to the right leg are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren's contracture, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right forearm disorder, are not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating of the right forearm disorder is granted based on current symptoms.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and a higher initial rating for thoracic outlet syndrome.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals of a fractured left wrist is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity and manifestations of his disability.

The veteran's claims of service connection for various injuries and disabilities were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left wrist disability is denied. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained, and a higher rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 1, 1996, is not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the knees, elbows, wrists, and left shoulder are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and for increased disability ratings for his migraine headaches and joint space narrowing at L5-S1. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service, and the initial disability ratings assigned were found to be appropriate.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for asthma, to include sleep apnea, effective from May 22, 1997. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his hearing loss, cervical spine condition, left shoulder arthritis, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders are not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted. However, it was determined that these multiple orthopedic disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is not well-grounded, and therefore denied. The other issues listed are also addressed but no rating assigned as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for prostatism. The claim for increased rating of left ear hearing loss is granted, but at noncompensable level.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for left wrist tendonitis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of hypertension. The veteran's claim for a higher original evaluation for his wrist disability is well grounded.

The Board granted a temporary increased evaluation of 100 percent for the veteran's right wrist disorder due to surgery, and subsequently returned it to a schedular 10 percent rating. The Board found that the veteran's right wrist disability warranted an additional 20 percent rating based on functional loss and pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of her right wrist fracture and service connection for asthma. The claim for asthma was found to be not well-grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking current asthma to her period of active duty.