The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral upper extremity disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. The examiner will be asked to determine if his current hand disabilities are related to his time in active duty.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported experiencing symptoms of pain, cramping, and swelling in his hands since service, which the VA examination confirmed with a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome on both sides.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral upper extremity disability, right upper extremity disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left upper extremity disability (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2012
- Citation
- 1231699
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1231699.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation benefits was denied because his bilateral lower extremity disability does not result in loss of use that precludes locomotion without the regular and constant use of an assistive device, and his bilateral upper extremity disability has not resulted in loss of use of both hands.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to obtain new medical opinions on the veteran's service connection claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity disability, bilateral knee disability, glaucoma, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, authorization of non-VA treatment records, and a more contemporaneous examination for his fibromyalgia.
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