Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left wrist Keinbock's disease remains at 10 percent, the maximum available under current criteria. The condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or any other higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability, is necessary.

The Veteran's right wrist and ankle disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling each, based on limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the right hip and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is service-connected on a presumptive basis due to degenerative joint disease. His hypertension is also service-connected on a presumptive basis as isolated systolic hypertension.,For the remaining conditions, further examination and medical opinions are needed to determine if they are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist from 50 to 10 percent effective March 1, 2010 was proper based on evidence showing improvement in the condition.

The Board has denied the claim of secondary service connection for a left hand/wrist disorder as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a link between the current left hand/wrist disorder and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left wrist injury and muscle injuries to left ring and little fingers, with amputation of distal phalanx of the left ring finger are currently rated at 20 percent. The December 2009 VA examination showed severe limitation of motion in the left wrist joint (10 degrees dorsiflexion) and limited palmar flexion (35 degrees), which meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under DC 5215. No higher rating is warranted as there was no ankylosis or other disabling conditions present.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. For his left wrist disability claim, the Board finds that an examination was conducted but further development is needed as the examiner did not address whether the claimed condition is related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claims seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD and disabilities of the low back, left knee, right ankle, and right wrist.

The case is being remanded for further development, including adjudicating the Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected disabilities and considering a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right lateral epicondylitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (claimed as acne vulgaris), dermatitis, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of her claimed conditions.