The Board found that the criteria for an increased rating were not met for the Veteran's right wrist disability prior to September 8, 2014 and denied his claims for increased ratings as of this date. The claim for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was granted. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had been submitted in order to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. However, the Board found no basis to grant service connection for sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right wrist disability did not show ankylosis or other disabling effects warranting a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence was insufficient to support increased ratings prior to September 8, 2014. The Board found that the submitted evidence related to new and material evidence for his back disorder claim. Service connection for sleep apnea could not be granted as there was no evidence of its occurrence during service or a relationship with service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist disorder, Back disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1757329
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1757329.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's back disorder is granted a rating of 10 percent, and his chronic kidney disease is granted service connection based on being secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee tendinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and a foot disorder due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in previous medical opinions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as his bilateral hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
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