Wrist & hand Board decisions

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The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, low back disorder, right wrist injury, and bilateral hearing loss.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

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.