Wrist & hand Board decisions

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.

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.