Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is causally related to service. His diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal insufficiency with anemia (renal disorder), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic maculopathy, with bilateral mature cataracts (eye disorder), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip bursitis, cervical strain, status post right shoulder dislocation, and ganglion cyst of the left wrist are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher initial ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and records development, including for right wrist and leg disorders as well as ingrown toenails. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the disability ratings for his respiratory condition, left CTS, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Veteran's service connection claim for throat cancer is granted. The left wrist arthritis is found to have its onset during service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the June 2010 VA peripheral nerves examiner regarding the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome and scheduling electrodiagnostic testing if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the residuals of the left wrist fracture, effective from April 28, 2009. The claim for service connection for hypertension and associated heart disease was denied, as were the claims for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability has been rated at 20 percent since May 22, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period from May 22, 2006 to the present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his carpal tunnel syndrome and other neurological disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC, for purposes of accrued benefits, was denied as the evidence did not support an assignment of an SMC rate in excess of the M-rate.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, bilateral, postoperative with scar and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 20, 2006. The decision also addressed other issues of service connection but did not reach a final determination on them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture are related to her active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board Hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various disorders are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including generalized arthritis of the joints, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, residuals of a cold injury to the left hand, tinnitus, and other disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and chip fracture left wrist prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU are met on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability or GERD, and his bilateral foot disability to include pes planus and hallux valgus is not service connected. The claims for impingement syndrome with arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder are also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by no more than slight instability, and her rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extraschedular basis were denied.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of marked interference with all forms of employment or unusual circumstances in relation to his left shoulder and wrist disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left wrist disorder existed prior to his service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.