Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left wrist condition does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's skin disorder is rated as noncompensably disabling, and his right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent since February 9, 2008. The appeal for higher ratings or additional benefits related to these conditions has been denied.

The Veteran sustained an injury to the right wrist in service and has had midcarpal arthritis since then. The Board finds that the current right wrist disability is due to the in-service injury, granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist fracture and ulnar styloid is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the range of pronation.

The Veteran's skin condition of the body was not found to be related to service, but his lichen planus was granted as a new and material issue. The Board did not find a link between the Veteran's current skin conditions and his periods of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension with a 10 percent disability rating and an effective date of February 6, 2009. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates is addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the period prior to April 23, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The current disability does not result in severe impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability from January 1, 2007 through December 3, 2008 was denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left wrist disorder or back disorder that is related to his military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating represents the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her psychiatric and left wrist disabilities. The issues of service connection are pending.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst is not rated as compensable. The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 60 percent beginning April 6, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from Portland VAMC dated in 2000 and requesting an addendum opinion regarding whether carpal tunnel syndrome is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service, and his surgical scars are secondary to his CTS. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the entire list of issues presented. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any conditions, and the ratings assigned were deemed appropriate based on the current functional impairment.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection for a left hip disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability were denied in January 2007. New evidence received since then has been found to be new and material, reopening the claims.,PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling prior to April 14, 2015, and is now rated as 70 percent disabling after that date.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for left wrist, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral arm disabilities, as well as for a disability manifested by right-sided weakness (all claimed as secondary to MS), as they are moot due to the grant of service connection for neuropathy of both upper extremities. The claim of service connection for residuals of right wrist injury is being REMANDED for additional development.