Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left wrist disability with degenerative changes, effective as of March 13, 2002.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including an opinion from a neurologist regarding the relationship between in-service fine tremors and current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's right index finger fracture with associated carpal tunnel syndrome, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's Reiter's syndrome, right foot associated with Reiter's syndrome, right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's Reiter's syndrome, left foot associated with Reiter's syndrome, left knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, right shoulder associated with Reiter's syndrome, left shoulder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, left shoulder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's service connected Reiter's syndrome, right wrist associated with Reiter's syndrome, left shoulder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, left knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected residuals of a fracture of the fourth metacarpal of the right hand and arthritis of the right hand and wrist were denied. The veteran was not granted any new disability rating or effective date.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a recurrent ganglion cyst of the right wrist and hemorrhoids, were denied. The Board found that the veteran had pre-existing conditions prior to his active duty service and did not show any aggravation during service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions diagnosed in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for asbestos-related lung disease also fails as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability related to asbestos exposure.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for instability. Service connection for a bilateral hip disorder due to his right knee disability is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left shoulder disability or bilateral wrist and elbow arthritis to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support restoration of the original evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome in either upper extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice to the veteran regarding his claims.

The veteran's increased disability evaluation for laceration of the right middle finger, postoperative, involving the flexor superficialis tendon is granted.,Right wrist arthritis was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, lumbar disorder, and sinusitis due to lack of current medical evidence of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome or stroke residuals in the veteran's service records, and concluded that any current conditions are not related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and service connection for right wrist tenosynovitis was severed effective December 1, 2005. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The veteran's left wrist scar is rated at 10 percent, the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 7804. The rating for his left wrist fracture residuals remains at 20 percent.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left wrist strain.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims by the RO or AMC.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, meeting the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he can perform the physical and mental acts required by employment.