The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome, status post release effective August 15, 2014 was improper and the 20 percent rating is restored. The RO also granted a 20 percent rating for right shoulder disability prior to May 25, 2018, but denied any rating in excess of 20 percent after July 1, 2018.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sustained material improvement in the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome that represented improvement under ordinary conditions of life.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18154348
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 18154348.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for a head scar, service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will obtain VA examinations and medical opinions to address the relevant evidence.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disability. Service connection is granted for OSA, left ankle, lumbar spine, and right hip disabilities. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease are remanded.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the October 2020 VA examination, which did not adequately address functional loss during flare-ups. The AOJ is also required to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability from May 13, 2020 and request employment information for TDIU consideration.
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