Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist and right upper arm disabilities were not related to service or his service-connected second metacarpal fracture, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist or right knee disability that is related to service, and there is no evidence of skin disorder on the back due to service.,Service connection for all three conditions (right wrist, right knee, and skin disability of the back) cannot be established as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to February 19, 2011, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right lower leg disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the hands and wrist, as well as his GERD, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The cold sweats claim was also denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted, but the effective date remains prior to March 4, 2009 for her assigned 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, which was initially rated as noncompensable and later increased to 20 percent prior to February 22, 2011, and then to 40 percent since that date, is granted. The current rating of 40 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her hand disabilities, as well as the current severity of her knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for herpes, optic nerve damage, hepatitis A, B, C, gallstones, bronchitis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, peripheral neuropathy and hypertension have not been met. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical opinion linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist, right foot, and right ankle disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability in the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 14, 2011, for her service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity. The decision stated that no prior claim was filed before this date and thus the earliest effective date is September 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right wrist perilunate dislocation claim is pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome are related to service, and thus grants service connection for a hand disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left wrist disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.