Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist and ankle disorders are related to his military service, including exposure to cold weather during his time in Korea.

The Board is unable to determine the status of your claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right wrist disorder as they are currently in a 'mixed' disposition due to new evidence submitted. The appeals have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right wrist ligament injury with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's gout of multiple joints, left ankle, left wrist, right wrist, left elbow, right elbow, left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot have been granted increased disability ratings since June 4, 2010. The bursitis of the right knee has also been granted an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left hand/wrist injury is being remanded due to the need for an appropriate examination and further development.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left carpal tunnel syndrome and the VA examiner could not determine if his symptoms were caused by service or a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and renal disorder. The remaining claims have already been fully granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the combined effects of all his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities has been granted, effective from April 11, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities and varicose veins of the lower extremities have been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for lumbar strain remains denied.

The Veteran's median nerve injury of the left wrist is not manifested by symptoms indicative of severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis, and his arthritis in the left index finger and thumb and middle, ring, and little fingers does not meet the criteria for a separate initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right arm, right hand and wrist, bilateral elbow, and left knee disorders are etiologically related to her service-connected right foot disability with RSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for residuals of fractured left fourth and fifth fingers, to include radicular pain through the hand and wrist, due to incomplete service treatment records. The AMC/RO is instructed to obtain any outstanding inpatient clinical records from Fort Stewart, Georgia, dated from March 1983 to July 1983, as well as outpatient treatment records and a copy of the separation examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for numbness and tingling in the bilateral upper extremities, including a review of potential theories such as direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the assignment of a total disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the current condition is not related to active service.,For the period prior to May 1, 2009, the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. From May 1, 2009 forward, it did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to the absence of certain VA treatment records prior to July 2008. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.