Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The RO reduced the veteran's rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm from 50 percent to 10 percent effective March 31, 2005. The reduction was proper as it reflected improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have arthritis of the thoracic spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, elbows, or wrists. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits is denied because he did not meet the eligibility criteria, specifically due to his involuntary separation from service and lack of a qualifying period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus bradycardia, right carpal tunnel syndrome, deviated nasal septum, and allergic rhinitis as there was no competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left carpal tunnel syndrome and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's right elbow disability is rated as noncompensable (0%) and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that the veteran's reported symptoms started during his period of active duty. The other claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% rating throughout the appeal period.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional employment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected compression fracture to L2 vertebra, left wrist condition, and left superior ramus and ischium condition. The current ratings are 50% for the compression fracture, 10% for each of the other conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome or tuberculosis, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training was denied as he did not have an employment handicap and his service-connected disabilities were not impairing his ability to prepare, obtain or retain suitable employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and his neck and left wrist disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings, a separate evaluation, and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen his reactive depression was also denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, low back disorder, right wrist injury, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected right wrist disability, which is higher than the maximum available rating based on limitation of motion. The veteran's ankylosis in palmar flexion at 15 degrees meets the criteria for this increased rating.

The veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were all denied. The VA determined that these conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, with neuropathy is rated at 20% and his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right wrist with periostitis and ulnar impingement is rated at 10%. The other claims for increased ratings are denied. Service connection for hypertension remains pending.