Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board grants service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. The Veteran is now entitled to a compensable rating for his right wrist disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also established, as there is evidence that the condition first developed during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome did not have its onset during his active service or while performing ACDUTRA, and there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, as he is able to engage in sedentary employment.

The case is being remanded due to the failure of the originating agency to separately evaluate and assign a percentage rating for each diagnosed disability, including irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist strain with mild degenerative changes, cervical spine with degenerative changes, thoracic spine with moderate dorsal kyphosis and mild chronic compressions, and lumbar spine with degenerative changes. The Veteran's pension claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst has been rated at a noncompensable level, but the April 2009 VA examination showed objective evidence of pain and limited motion. The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 10% based on these findings.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist pain/carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee strain/pain, left knee strain/pain, right ankle strain/pain, and left ankle strain/pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hand disability is not related to his service burn injuries, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist disability does not result in favorable or unfavorable ankylosis or a neurological disability, and therefore the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5215 (limitation of motion of the wrist) is granted. No higher or alternative ratings can be applied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the other issues. Service connection was established based on a diagnosis of PTSD due to combat stressors in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her cervical strain myositis was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The claim for service connection for upper extremity disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied initial evaluations in excess of 30 percent for post-operative right (major) carpal tunnel syndrome residuals and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for post-operative left (minor) carpal tunnel syndrome residuals prior to October 1, 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for CTS in the right arm is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a scar associated with his right wrist disorder is granted, and assigned an effective date of January 30, 2002.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for left hip strain and the assignment of a 10% disability evaluation is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right shoulder/back disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for CTS from May 7, 1997 to October 19, 2000 remains at a 30% disability evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent evaluation for chronic renal insufficiency effective June 1, 2003. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hand conditions are currently rated based on limitation of motion. The current ratings for the right and left wrists meet the criteria for a 20% rating under DC 5003.,No additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, or incoordination is noted during repetitive use.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service or preexisted service. The Veteran also needs an addendum opinion regarding her right foot plantar wart, and she should be provided with a dental examination.,For TMJ, the Veteran will need a VA dental examination to determine whether her jaw popping/clicking is related to service. She must also have a new VA eye examination to assess her conjunctivitis/dry eye condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.