The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand disability, diagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and/or cellulitis, is at least in equipoise with service connection due to its onset during his military service or being proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current right hand disability, diagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and/or cellulitis, had its onset during his military service or is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cellulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1733965
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 1733965.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for cellulitis, which covers at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the Veteran's total body area and at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of exposed areas affected. The decision satisfies the Veteran's appeal as he testified that this rating would be satisfactory.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, shoulder, hand, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected cellulitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to a service-connected back condition. The claims for cellulitis and hypertension were denied, while the claims for left and right knee conditions were remanded.
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