The Board found that the Veteran's left CTS did not have its onset during active service or as a result of active service, and it was not caused by or aggravated by service-connected shell fragment wound to the right elbow and forearm or residuals of right median nerve laceration.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions indicated that the Veteran's left CTS developed due to overuse of his left arm and hand in physically demanding employment as a left-hand dominant individual, rather than being caused by service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1749018
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 1749018.
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: Granted
The Board has granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome and 20 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome, both based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerves.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability, CTS in both hands and hips, MDD, and OSA, due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to tinnitus and denied the claims for service connection for TBI, sinusitis, higher ratings for left CTS, left inguinal hernia, and a scar associated with left inguinal hernia. The decision also remanded several other conditions for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claims for colon polyps, left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and deviated nasal septum to the AOJ for additional development and consideration.
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