Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and bilateral wrist tendonitis, finding no relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his service-connected left wrist laceration scar residuals were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional left leg and/or left wrist/hand disabilities were not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. Therefore, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. The matter of his claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for arthritis of the right wrist, status post fracture will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathic bladder, and lower spine condition.,The effective dates for the awards of service connection for neuropathic bladder and lower spine condition were not granted earlier than February 12, 2007, and July 2, 2002, respectively.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for small fiber neuropathy, polyneuropathy, or carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence submitted since the last denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture are rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and he is granted a separate rating of 30 percent for his right median neuropathy as a residual of the wrist fracture.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from February 1, 2008.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma and cataracts, high cholesterol, and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for asbestosis, COPD, spurring of cervical and lumbar spine (back disorder), sleep apnea, tonsil disorder, bilateral knee arthritis with total knee replacement, right foot Achilles tendon (right foot disorder), and left foot disorder are addressed below.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of a fractured left index metacarpal and traumatic arthritis of the left wrist were denied as there is no evidence that either condition meets or approximates the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right wrist, index finger, and thumb is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right (dominant) thumb dislocation. The claim for an increased rating for status post right thumb dislocation remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease but denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease is considered to have originated during active service, while his carpal tunnel syndrome is not linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to favorable ankylosis in 20-30 degrees of dorsiflexion. The appeal was granted as the current evaluation aligns with the criteria for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. Separate claims for right and left hand or elbow disabilities are denied as they are considered part of the same condition.

The Veteran's left wrist degenerative joint disease and fracture do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, which has been characterized as 'severe' by VA examiners and the Veteran himself, warrants a rating of 40 percent under DC 8516. The claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for ganglion cysts of the wrists and arthritis, as new and material evidence has been submitted.,However, the Board did not reach a final determination on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of all issues on appeal and therefore dismisses the appeal.