The veteran's microcytic anemia was granted service connection, but a higher initial rating is denied.,Right hand carpal tunnel syndrome received initial ratings of 10% prior to May 26, 2004 and noncompensable beginning November 1, 2004. A 50% rating was assigned from May 26, 2004 to September 13, 2004, followed by a 10% rating starting February 17, 2007.
The deciding factor: The veteran's microcytic anemia did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as her hemoglobin levels were consistently above 8gm/100ml prior to March 22, 2004 and above 10gm/100ml beginning March 22, 2004. For right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as her HGB levels were consistently above 10gm/100ml prior to May 26, 2004 and she received a temporary 100% rating due to surgical treatment. From May 26, 2004 to September 13, 2004, the veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 50% rating as her HGB levels were below 8gm/100ml and she received a permanent 50% rating from that date onwards.
- Claimed conditions
- Microcytic anemia, Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0843137
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 0843137.
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-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and residuals of a right ankle fracture, did not render her unemployable prior to August 11, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was unemployable due to a nonservice-connected psychotic disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than noncompensable, his right knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 16, 2019 or 30 percent from September 1, 2020, and he failed to establish service connection for chronic bronchitis (COPD), fungal infection, left knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disorder, or diabetes.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of ALS and insufficient evidence on other conditions. The issues related to sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome require additional medical opinions.
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