Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a third metacarpal fracture of the right hand with carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 19, 2008.

The Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at a minimum of 10 percent, considering the functional limitations and pain without ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including nonunion of the ulna and refracture of the radius, warrants a 20 percent rating under DC 5211. For the period beginning January 1, 2013, there is also functional impairment of the left hand warranting an additional 10 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left wrist disability, including a ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome, is not etiologically related to her military service or a service-connected right wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to unclear service history and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome remain under review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of treatment and examinations related to the appellant's claimed disabilities. The issues on appeal are service connection for a stomach disorder, right leg disorder, joint pain, and scar.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective January 1, 2010. The Board found the reduction proper.,The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for her right knee instability prior to January 1, 2010 or as noncompensable since then.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral wrist disability and the evidence does not support his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including gastrointestinal and lower leg disorders, were granted with an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's headaches claim resulted in a higher initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further review by the VA Compensation and Pension Service due to her service-connected disabilities, which include multiple conditions such as endometriosis, asthma, depression, degenerative disc disease, vertigo, radiculopathy, ovarian cysts, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The case will be referred back for an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right wrist, right knee and left knee disabilities are already rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. Therefore, no higher ratings can be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and a right wrist disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent left shoulder dislocation, right ankle fracture, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right calcaneal spur, and gout of the right great toe and left wrist due to lack of current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2000. The RO granted a TDIU effective from August 15, 2000, based on his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current right carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service, as it was less likely than not caused by cumulative trauma from repetitive activities during service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin condition, including hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and bilateral hand/wrist arthritis, is related to his in-service burn injury. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.