Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and awarded a compensable initial rating of 10 percent for the veteran's scars of the left forearm. The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current criteria. The residuals of his laceration to the left wrist are also rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected fracture of the right index metacarpal with associated carpal tunnel release is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the findings regarding the relationship between the neurological symptoms and the service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The medical evidence does not show a current right wrist disability, and the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right wrist fracture was denied because the VA determined that his injury existed prior to service. The case is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus the severance of this condition from the veteran's record is proper. The claim of service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, finding that they do not warrant ratings in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, fracture of the right wrist with secondary neuropathy, residuals of a fractured left mandible and maxilla with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and facial scars, do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The combined rating is 80 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's acid reflux disease, hemorrhoids, and residuals of left wrist fracture do not meet the criteria for service connection or higher initial evaluations. The medical evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee injury, and left thumb, hand, or wrist injuries have been denied as there is no current disability of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary disease, claimed as occupational asthma, and right wrist/hand metacarpal boss/ganglion cyst disability were not incurred or aggravated by active service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability evaluations are denied. The Board finds no current disabilities from the claimed conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his generalized anxiety disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The VA found that the combined rating of his service-connected conditions (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Right Wrist Shrapnel Injury, and Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss) did not meet the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma, finding that the evidence did not show moderate incomplete paralysis or rather frequent asthmatic attacks as required for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral wrists, knees, and shoulders as well as hypertension. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Regarding the veteran's claim to reopen his hearing loss claim, new and material evidence was found but service connection was still denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's right wrist disability is related to his unemployment and whether he should be granted an extraschedular rating.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids were denied. The RO assigned a 10% rating to each condition.,Service connection was not granted for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for PID, right ear disease (popping), and Keinbock's disease of the bilateral wrists as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.