Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and residuals of a stab wound to the right wrist as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled examination, and the case will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's service records show multiple right wrist injuries, including a fracture. However, the VA examiner found no current diagnosed disability related to these in-service injuries and the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled examination. Therefore, the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, left wrist ganglion cyst, and left knee disability. Service connection is granted for bilateral tinea pedis (foot fungus).

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a bilateral foot disability, and the Veteran's lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. DKB at UNC Chapel Hill.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no current disability in the wrists, and his symptoms are attributed to a right thumb disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected right wrist and knee conditions are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person to perform activities of daily living and protect him from daily life hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected scar from a shell fragment wound to the right wrist is rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The RO granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the right thumb flexion deformity effective April 30, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right median nerve paralysis (carpal tunnel syndrome), and tendonitis and separation of the right shoulder as secondary to a prior work injury in 1988. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral pes planus, do not render him unemployable as his education and occupational experience allow for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury was reopened. His claim for asbestosis was denied. The Board found that his left shoulder disorder, post-acromioplasty, warranted a 30% evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, residuals of a right wrist injury, and bilateral eye condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the claim for a higher rating for the left wrist disability due to further development being required.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, effective August 1, 2005.,For the period beginning August 18, 2009, the Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent.