Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his combat history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating were denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and provide new VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist disability other than residuals of a ganglionectomy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity have been granted, but no specific disability rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including macules on the tongue, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, a heart murmur, hypertension (HTN), right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, bilateral pes planus, low back disability, residuals of salpingo-oophorectomy, and psychiatric disorders have been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for her left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and 10 percent for her chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Veteran's right hand and wrist burn results in pain, which satisfies the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under revised Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist injury in service was acute and transitory, resolving without residuals. The current left wrist disability is not related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran was already receiving the highest schedular rating available for fibromyalgia and did not have a compensable rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist prior to August 7, 2008. For the period after August 7, 2008, she had a noncompensable rating for that condition. The Veteran's patella compression syndrome of both knees was also found not to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including those related to neck/cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, arthritis of the lower extremities, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is related to his service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right hip disabilities, as well as any new right wrist disorder. The Veteran also testified that he has headaches related to his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability, blood disorder, acquired mental disorder (other than PTSD), or hypertension due to service. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left wrist disorders are related to his active duty service. The Board finds credible and competent post-service medical evidence indicating that the Veteran developed these conditions due to workplace injuries, rather than service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 13, 2002. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm was granted a higher rating to 30 percent beginning February 23, 2010. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including GERD, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, and vasectomy residuals. The claims will be reviewed in light of these findings.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a right ankle sprain have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. His claims for increased evaluations are also denied as there were no incapacitating episodes during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits. The evidence submitted was found to be cumulative and not new or material.