Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for pes cavus and denied an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome. The veteran's pes cavus was incurred during service, while his right carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 10%.

The VA has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for left wrist (minor) fusion, effective from the date of claim. The scar residuals are rated separately.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist disability, hip disability, and right shoulder injury. The initial evaluation for right shoulder injury was granted at 20 percent effective March 15, 1999. No new evaluations were granted for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded, and to this extent, the appeals are granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims but found them not well grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link to service for all claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and awarded a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left wrist disability. The decision also notes that there is no evidence of exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for a higher rating, assigning him a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected right wrist disability and a separate 30 percent rating for ulnar nerve neuropathy of the right wrist.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a temporary total rating due to her non-service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome, as it did not result from a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and Hodgkin's disease, both claimed as a result of exposure to herbicide agents in service. The veteran was not granted any compensable ratings for PTSD or residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right arm.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, low back disability and left wrist disability are not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic tendonitis of the right shoulder is well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist injury and eczema of the right hand, finding that the evidence does not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left arm sling palsy and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bipolar disorder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome. However, none of these claims are well grounded.

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome, left wrist fracture, and recurrent lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that the veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, as they are rated at zero percent combined.

The veteran's headaches, stomach disorder, and muscle and joint pain are accounted for by known clinical diagnoses. The hair loss is not service-connected due to its developmental nature. Service connection was granted for the removal of fat tissue.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a scar on the right index finger and residuals of a right wrist injury are denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of limitation of function or flare-ups, and thus did not support an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture was denied by the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.