The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for left carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent evaluations.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed some limitation of motion and sensory deficits but no ankylosis or moderate incomplete paralysis required for a higher evaluation. The veteran's service-connected left wrist scar was evaluated based on tender and painful scars, which warranted the current 10 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- left carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0204340
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 0204340.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for migraine headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and right wrist pain, while denying service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also addressed various rating issues and effective dates.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, back/spinal cord injury, and major depression due to pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder bicipital tendon tear, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with facet arthropathy and lumbosacral strain, right hip strain with osteoarthritis, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (to include iliotibial band syndrome), and chronic right wrist sprain were denied. The Board also granted an effective date of July 7, 2023 for the award of increased ratings.
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