The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist as secondary to a service-connected disability. The veteran is currently seeking further clarification on his burn pit exposure claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist and denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of a direct link to the service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, cervical radiculopathy (presumed due to exposure to burn pits)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2000
- Citation
- 0032861
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0032861.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease, residuals of a chest contusion, and post-traumatic arthritis were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for left distal radius and ulna fracture was granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation for right thumb arthritis was denied. The claim for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee were both denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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