Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness. The reasons were provided in the decision summary.

The veteran's hypertension, tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right foot, and carpal tunnel syndrome involving the right hand have all been evaluated at 10 percent since their initial service connection. The claim for a higher evaluation for tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right foot is denied.

The Board denied increased initial ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right wrists, finding that there is no current evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in either wrist.

The Board denied increased ratings for left wrist fracture with ulnar nerve release, right elbow medial epicondylitis, and hiatal hernia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right wrist disabilities are not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for HIV and associated disability, but denied the other issues related to left hand and ring finger injuries as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. The veteran's current left hand and ring finger disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right wrist injury with neurological involvement does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 20 percent rating.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative disease and asthma, do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 70 percent to qualify for pension benefits due to their severity. The veteran is therefore denied pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, left wrist disorder, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right thumb disability and service connection for his right carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional action due to incomplete documentation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for right wrist tendonitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has found that the veteran's CTS in both hands and wrists, lower back disability including sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and sinusitis are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right wrist disability was not incurred during his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left wrist does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels and lack of ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances.

The veteran's left wrist fracture resulted in a compensable evaluation. Service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities was granted based on direct evidence of injury during service.

The Board has determined that the threshold requirements for establishing service connection are not met, and therefore service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury is denied.