Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left wrist disability is not related to his service-connected ganglion cyst removal and therefore, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities did not cause or aggravate his right knee, left knee, back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder, and psychiatric disorders.

The veteran's hypothyroidism is rated at 30 percent, and her tinea corporis (hands and wrists) is rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The issues of service connection for hearing loss and endometriosis are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of fractures to his right wrist and left hip, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these injuries to a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased rating for residuals of a crush injury to the right index finger, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely perfect an appeal to the November 1993 rating decision regarding the issues of service connection for urinary tract infection and left hip pain. The claims are therefore denied as final.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his postoperative residuals of fusion of the left wrist is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective from February 5, 1996. This decision is based on his current level of impairment and the need for surgical intervention.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was incurred in service, resolving any doubt in favor of the claimant.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst. The right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's left foot and right arm and wrist injuries are not service-connected due to the accident being a result of his own willful misconduct.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 16, 2000. The RO found that the veteran had met the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU claim and there was evidence of current service-connected unemployability in his claims file.

The veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his bilateral hearing loss and postoperative right wrist injury are denied increased ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a right wrist disorder is well grounded. However, there was no evidence showing a preexisting right wrist condition during service or any increase in severity due to service. The VA examiner did not review the claims file and relied on the veteran’s account of an in-service surgery which lacks supporting medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shotgun wounds to the left anterior cervical region and the left hand and wrist were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shin splints, a low back disability, a left leg disability as secondary to a low back disability, eczema (skin disorder), a right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not submit competent evidence to show plausible claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are well grounded. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The veteran's claims of service connection for an object in the right eye, a disability manifested by right foot and heel pain, shoulder injury residuals, and tender right wrist are not supported by evidence. The claim for initial noncompensable evaluation for residuals of fracture, right thumb is supported by evidence.,The veteran has submitted well-grounded claims for service connection for back condition and left index finger injury residuals.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for periarthritis of the right wrist is denied.