Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted, and the effective date for service connection for his complications due to type II diabetes mellitus was set at September 10, 2003. The TDIU award was also granted with a retroactive effective date of September 10, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist and hand disability, an eating disorder, a low back disability, and a heart disability have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and low back disabilities, as well as her bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, may be related to service. However, due to the need for medical opinions on etiology, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for hearing loss, and denied service connection for bilateral astigmatism as it is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, sinusitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee injury (status post total knee replacement), right wrist myofascial strain, and status post right ankle fusion with flattened arch and foot pronation. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be due to natural aging and overuse of joints from past employment history.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 5, 1996 for the grant of service connection and a compensable evaluation for his right wrist scar were denied. The Board found that the December 1996 rating decision was final as to the effective date assigned at that time.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective May 1, 2008. His right wrist fracture is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of carpal tunnel syndrome in the Veteran's service or at any time thereafter, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic right shoulder disability and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for post-operative right scapholunate ligament tear residuals, finding that the evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lower back scar, left eyebrow scar, bilateral wrist disorder, pseudofolliculitis (razor bumps), and bilateral knee disorder have been resolved as the AOJ granted these claims in October 2009. As such, there is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board pertaining to these claims.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to clarify a previous medical opinion and consider new evidence, including a service treatment record from January 1981.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's lumbar strain and lumbar disc disease with herniation at L4-L5 had its onset in service. Service connection was denied for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical history and lay evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist pain during service.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2006. The Board denied a higher rating as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of permanent and total disability from non-service connected conditions. Additional records, including SSA disability benefit information and VA outpatient treatment records, are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right knee replacement and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, have made her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim as she meets the schedular criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent disabling. The RO granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the period since December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of his employability.