Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's low back and cervical spine disabilities, but denied an increase in rating for his right hand carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's unresolved mental conditions and non-cooperation currently prevent him from successfully pursuing a vocational rehabilitation program and becoming gainfully employed in an occupation consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied increased evaluations for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the forehead, left elbow, and right wrist. The veteran's current conditions are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking them to an incident of service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hemorrhoids are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation for Crohn's disease with postoperative residuals of resection of the small and large intestine is denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, L1 vertebra fracture residuals, and left wrist disability are denied.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist disorder, malaria, and amputation of the right toe resulted in unemployability. The Board granted a total rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability effective June 2, 1989.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture with ankylosis, effective from March 22, 1993 to June 14, 1993, and from August 1, 1995.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left wrist injury, but denied an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The veteran is currently rated at 10% for his pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a right wrist injury and tendonitis of the right elbow, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been granted, with the exception of the evaluation for coronary artery disease. The left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are each rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective from June 26, 1995. The veteran's lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow is rated at 10 percent, sinusitis at 10 percent, left knee disorder at direct service connection, low back disorder at direct service connection, and gastritis at direct service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right wrist disorder does not result in loss of use of his hand, and thus denied his claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right wrist disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The decision found that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis of the right shoulder are not well grounded. The claim for service connection is denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between current CTS and symptoms noted during service, which were diagnosed as ulnar neuropathy. The claim for increased rating for bursitis is also denied as the veteran's range of motion does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the denial of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, chondromalacia of the left knee, and defective hearing. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury and residuals of a right hip injury, as well as his requests to reopen claims for duodenal ulcer and adjustment disorder with depression and migraine headaches. The evidence submitted since the August 1987 decision did not provide new and material evidence.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected right ear otitis externa and right wrist fracture, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand. The veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal regarding the right ear condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left wrist and a cervical strain were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his period of active duty. The Board also denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for compensation for right wrist and left elbow disabilities pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is not well-grounded because there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which is service-connected and involves a fracture, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.