Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of the assigned noncompensable ratings for most conditions, except for a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder impingement status post surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, rectal incontinence associated with scleroderma, calcinosis of the fingers associated with scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, limitation of motion of left ankle due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, right knee synovitis, status post arthroscopy, flatfoot with left foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, flatfoot with right foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, are of such severity as to preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome or thenar atrophy is related to his service-connected right hand disorder and has granted a separate rating for this condition.

Your initial claim for a higher rating for your service-connected left wrist crepitus status post left arm injury has been granted, but the maximum schedular rating available is 10 percent. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board has dismissed the appeal with respect to the claims of entitlement to service connection for a fungal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 40 percent rating for residuals of a right wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support this level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left knee condition is rated at the maximum allowable, and the right knee and wrist conditions do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities with carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA neurological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand impairment is associated with cervical nerve root injury at C8-T1, and he has been granted a 50% rating for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have current carpal tunnel syndrome or loss of use of his left hand.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his traumatic arthritis, left wrist, is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death (urosepsis) was not service-connected, and no other disability contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, as well as any newly identified conditions. The effective dates will be determined based on the findings from these examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left arm, shoulder, and wrist disabilities are not related to his period of service, including a bite from a Black Widow spider during service in 1969. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left forearm injury, proximal to the wrist, status post open reduction and internal fixation of a fracture of the distal radius. The Board has directed that an examination be conducted to determine if any currently existing additional disability found on examination is considered by a reasonable healthcare provider to be an ordinary risk of the care rendered by VA in 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to the lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms such as locking, lateral instability, or recurrent subluxations.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities, or marked pronation. The impairment does not exceed that of moderate bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst has not been surgically treated and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no significant symptoms or functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right forearm with incomplete paralysis of the median nerve are rated at 40 percent since December 9, 2008. Separate evaluations for painful scars associated with the wounds have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of service connection claim, and TDIU were denied. The right shoulder rotator cuff disability was found to not warrant an increase in the assigned rating. The carpal tunnel syndrome claim was reopened but further development is needed before it can be adjudicated on its merits.