The veteran's claim for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not provide adequate reason or good cause for failing to report for the necessary VA examination, leading to the abandonment of his claim.
- Claimed conditions
- right hand carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2003
- Citation
- 0305186
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,555 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0305186.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including sinusitis, sleep apnea, a stomach disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and a back disability. The appeals are pending further examination or evidence.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the claims for sleep apnea, left elbow carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hand condition. The case will be reviewed again with a new opinion from an appropriately qualified clinician.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.