Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst with limitation of motion is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating, and there are no additional factors that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions attributable to his period of military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating, and that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for groin injury, head injury, PTSD, and hyperumbilical pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left ankle as secondary to service-connected postoperative left Achilles tendon and initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of status post right and left wrist injuries.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep apnea, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected status post nasal fracture. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not sufficiently severe to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right elbow tendonitis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied. The RO found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis, and thus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as new and material evidence was received for some claims, but no effective date adjustments were granted due to the nature of the appeal. The Veteran's conditions continue to be rated based on existing evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dishonorable discharge from his period of service is a bar to VA benefits. The claims for service connection for coronary artery bypass grafting, hemorrhoids and lower bowel condition, and carpal tunnel syndrome with degenerative joint disease are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a disability affecting multiple joints, as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current right wrist condition is related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist strain and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, with ear pain and muscle spasms, are denied. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain is also denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as well as his increased rating claim for CTS of the right wrist, were denied. The Veteran's trigger thumb was found to be essentially asymptomatic.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance, as she can manage most of her daily personal needs without assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU and his claim is granted. The effective date of this decision is June 20, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of left wrist fusion. The RO should also determine if any disability of the fingers and left hand are secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected status post residuals of a thyroidectomy with exophthalmos and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated at 100 percent since the appeal was initiated, based on symptoms including cold intolerance, muscular weakness, mental disturbance (depression), and sleepiness.