The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral thumb degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no medical literature supporting a relationship between the Veteran’s current diagnoses and his military service, including any reported elbow injuries or hyperextension injury to his right thumb. The Board also noted that the in-service findings were limited to treatment for shoulder strain/pain and left-hand numbness with abnormal ulnar and radial nerve distributions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), bilateral thumb degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19173720
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 19173720.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for left knee disability, bilateral CTS, and bilateral foot condition must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty or periods of inactive duty training.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left arm weakness, bilateral upper extremity condition (claimed as bilateral CTS), and fatigue disorder, to include chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and sleep apnea, for additional development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD but remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral CTS.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the case must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's right wrist disability, including neurological symptoms, needs to be re-evaluated for a proper rating determination.
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