The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic, ratable vision disorder or any associated disability as a result of his military service. His claimed right hand disorders are not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability have not been met at any time during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic, ratable vision disorder or associated disability due to his military service. His claimed right hand disorders are not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability have not been met at any time during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Defective vision, Right hand disorder, other than involving the right index finger, CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Residuals of an injury to the right index finger, Residuals of an injury to the right little finger, Migraine headaches with history of tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2013
- Citation
- 1311410
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 1311410.
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 CTS of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, and his CTS of the left upper extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Board denied entitlement to higher disability ratings for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, which may be related to his upper extremity nerve condition and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an increased rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected CTS of the right upper extremity with sympathetic reflex dystrophy, effective from July 27, 2009.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's defective vision, diagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions. Therefore, service connection for defective vision is denied.
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