Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his agreement with the assigned ratings and his application for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during service or as a consequence of service.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a racquetball injury to the head and face, pinched nerve in the neck, residuals of dengue fever, left wrist fracture, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased original ratings for residuals, status post scaphocapitate fusion with CTS, left wrist and right wrist.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 24, 2003 rating decision that granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome with history of ulnar neuropathy at a noncompensable level. The veteran's arguments regarding functional impairment and incorrect application of DeLuca v. Brown were not supported by evidence showing the severity of his disorder.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for right and left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no objective evidence of symptoms such as weakness or numbness.

The Board found that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome did not manifest during a valid period of service or within one year following his discharge from a valid period of service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst residuals do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they did not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings based on limitation of motion or pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis and ulnar nerve palsy and CTS, finding no evidence of current disability or a causal relationship to his service-connected condition. The claim for an increased rating was also denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected right wrist fusion residuals, which was previously rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving the wrists, metacarpal joints, and elbows due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of any current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions and determined that there was insufficient medical evidence linking her symptoms to service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. His claim for increased rating of post-phlebitic syndrome and right knee disability was granted with a 30% and 20% ratings, respectively.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete VCAA notice, lack of SPRs confirming MOS, conflicting evidence regarding current disabilities, and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ruptured ear drum, migraine headaches, right ankle disorder, depression, residuals of right palm laceration, and ear infections. The decision also addressed other issues such as asthma, mouth surgery, and lung cyst.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic wrist or ankle disability in service, and denied the veteran's claims for bilateral wrist and ankle disabilities. The mono-articular arthritis of the left knee was not considered to be related to these wrists and ankles.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow and wrist disabilities are not service-connected, and thus no compensable ratings can be assigned.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's scar residuals of a left wrist shell fragment wound is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation for his left wrist disability, service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities (secondary to a service-connected left wrist disability), and temporary total ratings based on bilateral shoulder surgeries. The reasons were that none of the veteran's current bilateral shoulder conditions were caused by his service-connected left wrist condition or any other remote incident of service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis affecting joints other than the right wrist and right elbow, right arm adenitis, and sinusitis. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to military service.