Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) on his service connection issues.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist injury with carpal tunnel syndrome warranted a 50 percent evaluation, but denied increased evaluations for his right eye injury and TDIU claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability and bilateral hip disorder. The decision also addressed a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and a left wrist disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including arthritis of the right shoulder and both wrists, low back disorder, neck disorder, chronic acquired eye disorder, tinnitus, allergies, asthma, unspecified disorders related to asbestos and radiation exposure. The claims are all denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for increased disability ratings have been dismissed.

The veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, but lacks the basic requirement for housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and defective vision, finding no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and was considered to be at the point of employability for an entry level position with his undergraduate degree. The veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated as 30 percent combined, but he was determined to have overcome his handicap through education.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to insufficient examination results regarding his left wrist disorder and lumbosacral strain with arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of frostbite or brain damage, and therefore cannot be granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for service connection for Reiter's syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board found that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim. For PTSD, the Board concluded there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service, but also noted that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left wrist disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and bilateral wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for polyarthralgias, with a history of fatigue and carpal tunnel syndrome, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not show objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an illness or combination of illnesses manifested by joint pain or fatigue.

The Board has found no current diagnosed left knee, left wrist, or left shoulder disorders. The veteran's symptoms from the February 1989 motor vehicle accident did not result in chronic disabilities.

The veteran's hypertension was not service-connected, and his PTSD, tinnitus, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and face shrapnel wound were all denied increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for memory loss and fatigue, as well as increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left wrist disability.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown in the veteran's service records or within one year of discharge. The VA audiologist found normal right ear hearing throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left axilla scar, left wrist scar, and left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left wrist fracture, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and deviated nasal septum. The reasons were that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.