Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand has been rated at 10 percent since its effective date, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while sufficient to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (including arthritis), back disorder (including arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, fungus infections of the ears, residuals of a perforated left eardrum, tonsillitis, spot on the left lung, or hemorrhoids. The skin condition is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO and notifying the Veteran of his right to appoint another representative if he chooses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any bilateral wrist disorders found to be present. The Veteran must report for this examination or provide adequate notice if unable to do so.

The Board determined that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, resulting in denial of his claims.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by limitation of motion without ankylosis, is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back, left knee, and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for various joints and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination. The claims will be reviewed again after the necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, ganglion cysts (right foot and left wrist), degenerative joint disease (upper and lower extremities), back condition, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are all pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim is then granted as the medical opinions suggest that the current condition is related to a traumatic injury sustained during military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings were adjudicated multiple times. The RO granted service connection and assigned initial ratings, but reduced the rating for one condition due to CUE.,Both issues have a mixed disposition as some aspects of each claim are granted while others are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, with sedentary forms of employment being possible.

The Veteran's benefits, including a 100% disability rating for loss of use of one hand and one foot, SMC for loss of use of one hand and one foot, DEA benefits, automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, and certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, have been restored due to the improper reduction without a predetermination hearing.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized as DeQuervain tenosynovitis with a scar, is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a right wrist disorder was dismissed as the issue had been previously granted by a November 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran seeks an initial increased disability rating for his right wrist condition, which was previously rated as noncompensable and later increased to 10 percent. The case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.