Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral CTS resulted in at most moderate impairment of the median nerves from August 16, 2010. Effective that date, a rating of 30 percent for CTS of the right upper extremity and 20 percent for CTS of the left upper extremity was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm condition is not productive of limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or at the shoulder level, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is not productive of flexion limited to 45 degrees or less nor extension limited to 10 degrees or more, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain. The Veteran's left knee instability is only slight.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is productive of no more than slight instability.,The Veteran's service-connected CAD is not productive of a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,The Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy is productive of no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is only mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no more than noncompensable limitations in range of motion of the right wrist and each finger on the right hand, with no evidence of incapacitating exacerbations.,The Veteran's service-connected GERD is not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 or systolic pressure predominantly less than 160.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral CTS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The case is now remanded to obtain an orthopedic examination to determine the etiology and nature of the Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine, including neurological involvement of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis and will readjudicate the issue of what evaluation is warranted for allergic rhinitis since March 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral wrist disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the left wrist disorder, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Board dismissed these issues as withdrawn by the Veteran. For gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagus stricture, the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to military service or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as to schedule VA examinations for bilateral hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and claims for additional disability ratings, as well as a claim for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his shrapnel wound residuals and skin disorder, and to determine if his hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, and a left wrist ganglionectomy, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected tenosynovitis of the right wrist, finding that the current 10 percent disability rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's spinal disorder was granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 25, 2010, but not in excess of that. The Veteran's snapping hip syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left wrist disabilities have resulted in no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the affected joints.,For her residuals of gallbladder removal, the Veteran has symptoms that are no worse than mild in nature.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The issue of service connection for arthritis of the back, knees, ankles, and wrists remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a left ankle disability, and a left wrist disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right wrist disorder is due to his military service.,There is no current evidence of a heart disorder in the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, hearing loss, left wrist, left ankle, and skin conditions were denied.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine strain, schizophrenia, right ear hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, or fibromyositis. The effective dates for increased disability ratings were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist injury, skin cancer, and a dental disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for residuals of a right wrist injury was not reopened as no new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.