The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right wrists due to new evidence received since the May 2014 rating decision. However, the claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD remains remanded as there is no clear evidence that VA did not follow its regular mailing practices.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's original notice of the August 2008 rating decision was sent to her last known address and may have been returned, but there is no clear evidence that VA did not follow its regular procedures in sending the notice.
- Claimed conditions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, Carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19193169
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 19193169.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left wrist disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and scars of the left wrist are also rated at the maximum schedular rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and an increased rating for patellofemoral dysfunction of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.
- Granted
The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left wrist is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The scars of the left wrist and palm are rated at 10 percent.
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