Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues on appeal are related to his spine condition and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of either a right wrist disorder or bilateral foot disorder, and thus his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's left foot tarsal tunnel syndrome is related to an injury he incurred in service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition should be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for award of a TDIU, and his disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand and wrist disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be referred to VA's Undersecretary for Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, skin disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right wrist disorder are denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's right hand and wrist median neuropathy are rated at 50 percent since December 18, 2015. The left hand and wrist median neuropathy are rated at 40 percent since December 18, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent, and there is no basis for an increased rating. The Veteran has gout in his left ankle and foot, which warrants a compensable rating, but not separate ratings for the wrist and hand or great toe. The Veteran also has arthritis of the left great toe, which warrants a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right wrist disability has been granted. The appeal for service connection for right knee patella femoral syndrome was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded this case for additional development, including a comprehensive vocational assessment and functional capacity evaluation to determine the Veteran's ability to perform in his occupational field given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist disability is not related to his in-service surgery and denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or impairment approximating ankylosis. The current 10% rating adequately reflects the functional limitations and symptoms associated with the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 25, 2012 prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right wrist, knee, and ankle disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, right wrist disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist neurological disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his orthopedic component of the right wrist disability does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical strain with mild degenerative changes at C4-5 and C5-6, lumbar strain, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated as 20 percent for the period prior to May 20, 2014. Effective May 20, 2014, a 20 percent rating has been assigned for cervical strain with mild degenerative changes at C4-5 and C5-6.

The Veteran does not have a current right hand disability other than carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy, which are already service-connected. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding of a separate right hand disability.