The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand condition and his claimed secondary left-arm condition (carpal tunnel syndrome) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing nerve damage in his left hand, which was aggravated by military service. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome may be related to his pre-existing left-hand condition.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's left-hand condition existed prior to service and was aggravated by military service, leading to a secondary claim for carpal tunnel syndrome in his left arm.
- Claimed conditions
- left-hand condition, left-arm condition (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162263
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19162263.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left-hand and right-hand conditions due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's active service is alleged to have caused his current hand conditions, which he contends are not supported by documented medical history.
- Partly granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and left-hand condition, but has remanded the claims of service connection for rib disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right-shoulder condition and remanded claims for service connection for right-hand and left-hand conditions.
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