The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating was denied due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination, and the claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or nexus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to provide good cause for not attending his scheduled VA examinations, which resulted in the inability to evaluate the current level of disability for the increased rating claim. For the service connection claim, the lack of in-service diagnosis and post-service medical records linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability prevented the establishment of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist neurological disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182297
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left upper extremity condition, claimed as a left shoulder condition, to schedule a VA examination and obtain an opinion on whether the condition is related to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right wrist condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, based on the Veteran's credible reports of pain and weakness since service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fatigue, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, penile condition, left foot disability, and others. Some claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, while denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, neck strain, shoulder strain, and sleep apnea.
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