Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected fracture of the right wrist with traumatic arthritis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist condition, characterized by post-traumatic osteoarthritis, does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence linking her current low back and right wrist disorders to active service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia as secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of both wrists as there is no medical evidence linking a current arthritic disability to an incident of service or to a service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for joint pain of the knees and wrists as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and left wrist conditions were denied by the RO. The lumbar spine condition received a higher evaluation, but the left wrist condition remains at its current 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the residuals of a low back injury with radiculopathy, effective from the day following the veteran's separation from service. Ratings in excess of 20 percent have been denied for right shoulder strain and left shoulder strain, and ratings in excess of 10 percent have been denied for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, resulting from a scaphoid fracture in service, results in limited motion due to pain. The VA has determined that the current 10% evaluation is appropriate given the limitation of motion and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's left wrist disability and found that his claims of service connection for prostate disability and testicle pain are well grounded. The veteran is entitled to an increased rating for his left wrist disability, but not for his prostate or testicle pain.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim. The current evaluation adequately reflects the severity and symptoms associated with the condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection are denied as his conditions have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses and there is no objective evidence of chronic disability.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left forearm fracture, wrist/hand disability, and shoulder disability. The ratings are based on their respective diagnoses and current functional limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and sinusitis. The right wrist disability claim was not well-grounded. Service connection could not be established due to lack of a current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for right wrist nerve damage due to hospital treatment, finding that there was no medical evidence demonstrating a current disability and linking it to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right arm/wrist disorder and found it well grounded. The case is now remanded to consider whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1980 rating decision denying service connection.

The veteran's right wrist fusion with carpal tunnel syndrome and major depression have been rated, while the left elbow laceration repair has not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or a grant of service connection.