Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and is not a result of any service-connected disability.

The veteran's right leg disability is found to be secondary to her service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with failed back syndrome. She was granted entitlement to service connection for this condition, but the issue of an increased evaluation for her carpal tunnel syndrome remains unresolved.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, dermatitis of the feet, and upper gastrointestinal disability are granted due to their being related to undiagnosed illnesses possibly associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and PTSD due to the lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee is denied. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the right wrist is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury. The evidence provided by the veteran, while not entirely redundant, did not provide sufficient information to support reopening the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee, compensable evaluation for epigastric ventral hernia, and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The RO assigned a 10% disability rating for chondromalacia of the left knee under Diagnostic Code 5010 (traumatic arthritis).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her right shoulder, thumb, arm, wrist, left knee, and TMJ disorders. The issues were adjudicated as part of a larger appeal regarding de Quervain's syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, deflection of the nasal septum with difficulty breathing, and left wrist disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for depression and right upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) in March 1990. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right upper extremity disorder characterized as carpal tunnel syndrome is reopened, but the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left femoral/thigh shell fragment wound residuals. The appeals for other issues were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease of both hips, disability of both shoulders, and neck disability are not well-grounded. The Board has denied these claims previously.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from service. The claim will be denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues intertwined with service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and hand. The veteran's PTSD and right wrist disability evaluations are also under review.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's right shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeals for higher evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for left ankle, right wrist, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis disabilities are well-grounded.

The veteran's left wrist disability was previously rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating prior to December 8, 1997.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic low back disorder, chronic sinusitis, chronic left ankle disorder, fungus condition of the left foot, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the wrists, fingers of both hands, and elbows. The RO determined that these claims were not well grounded as they were not shown in service.

The Board has denied both claims for increased evaluations as there is no evidence of an increase in the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.