Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a right inguinal herniorrhaphy and for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, as well as his claim for benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, postoperative right and left carpal tunnel decompression surgeries. The evidence did not support higher evaluations based on current blood pressure readings or clinical findings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia, but granted a 10% evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist injury do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's duty status during the time of the motor vehicle accident. The RO is instructed to verify this information and then readjudicate the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not well-grounded.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current chronic fatigue syndrome to his military service or reported continuity of post-service symptomatology.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss is not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,Although the veteran has reported asbestos exposure in service, there is no medical evidence of asbestosis or any asbestos-related disorder.,Respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,The veteran's claim for flu-like symptoms involving the sinuses is not well-grounded.,Muscle aches in thighs and lower legs are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for muscle aches resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Eye symptoms are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for eye symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Stomach symptoms are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Generalized joint pain and shaking are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Fatigue as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness is plausible, but the veteran has submitted some evidence supporting this claim.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss related to an undiagnosed illness is not well-grounded.,Joint pain in ankles and hips are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Joint pain in thumbs, fingers of both hands, wrists, elbows are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 14, 1997, for assignment of a 30 percent rating for total left wrist fusion.

The veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability evaluation for status post-ganglionectomy, right wrist is denied as the medical evidence does not show any condition that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist disorders, and assigned a 10 percent rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thumb. The veteran's claims are well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and is not a result of any service-connected disability.

The veteran's right leg disability is found to be secondary to her service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with failed back syndrome. She was granted entitlement to service connection for this condition, but the issue of an increased evaluation for her carpal tunnel syndrome remains unresolved.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, dermatitis of the feet, and upper gastrointestinal disability are granted due to their being related to undiagnosed illnesses possibly associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and PTSD due to the lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee is denied. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the right wrist is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury. The evidence provided by the veteran, while not entirely redundant, did not provide sufficient information to support reopening the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee, compensable evaluation for epigastric ventral hernia, and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The RO assigned a 10% disability rating for chondromalacia of the left knee under Diagnostic Code 5010 (traumatic arthritis).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her right shoulder, thumb, arm, wrist, left knee, and TMJ disorders. The issues were adjudicated as part of a larger appeal regarding de Quervain's syndrome.