Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, deflection of the nasal septum with difficulty breathing, and left wrist disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for depression and right upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) in March 1990. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right upper extremity disorder characterized as carpal tunnel syndrome is reopened, but the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left femoral/thigh shell fragment wound residuals. The appeals for other issues were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease of both hips, disability of both shoulders, and neck disability are not well-grounded. The Board has denied these claims previously.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from service. The claim will be denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues intertwined with service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and hand. The veteran's PTSD and right wrist disability evaluations are also under review.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's right shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeals for higher evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for left ankle, right wrist, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis disabilities are well-grounded.

The veteran's left wrist disability was previously rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating prior to December 8, 1997.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic low back disorder, chronic sinusitis, chronic left ankle disorder, fungus condition of the left foot, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the wrists, fingers of both hands, and elbows. The RO determined that these claims were not well grounded as they were not shown in service.

The Board has denied both claims for increased evaluations as there is no evidence of an increase in the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's low back and cervical spine disabilities, but denied an increase in rating for his right hand carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's unresolved mental conditions and non-cooperation currently prevent him from successfully pursuing a vocational rehabilitation program and becoming gainfully employed in an occupation consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied increased evaluations for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the forehead, left elbow, and right wrist. The veteran's current conditions are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking them to an incident of service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hemorrhoids are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation for Crohn's disease with postoperative residuals of resection of the small and large intestine is denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, L1 vertebra fracture residuals, and left wrist disability are denied.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist disorder, malaria, and amputation of the right toe resulted in unemployability. The Board granted a total rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability effective June 2, 1989.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture with ankylosis, effective from March 22, 1993 to June 14, 1993, and from August 1, 1995.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left wrist injury, but denied an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The veteran is currently rated at 10% for his pes planus.