Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of a bilateral hip, right wrist, or bilateral eye condition for VA compensation purposes. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand was denied. The reduction of disability evaluations for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as a residual scar on the right hand, from 30% to 10%, and from 10% to noncompensable, respectively, were not supported by evidence at the time of the reductions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service or periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Board found that the Veteran's Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand and CTS were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and are not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist scaphoid fracture and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been rated at 10 percent each, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active military service, and his right wrist and hand disabilities are linked to injury sustained in service. The hearing loss claim is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a bilateral hearing impairment.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, but the Board finds that his service-connected coronary artery disease substantially contributed to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's left arm disability has been rated at 40 percent, and he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for GERD and epididymalgia, testalgia, and prostatitis have been granted. The right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to her work during active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist ligament injury with degenerative changes, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right hip arthritis and right wrist arthritis. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a lumbar spine or cervical spine disorder as a result of his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, conjunctivitis, lumbar strain and spinal degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, hypertension, bronchitis, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis with right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for left knee and right wrist disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for low back strain. The evidence did not present new and material information to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of left ulnar nerve transposition surgeries has been granted, with an effective date from May 25, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's residual right wrist scar, status post right carpal tunnel release, has not been found to cause any functional impairment warranting a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and assigned a rating of 30 percent for the right femoral osteoid osteoma, effective from December 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his scar of the left wrist, are denied. The current 10 percent ratings under the appropriate diagnostic codes adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of these conditions.