The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his work as a jet engine mechanic in service.
The deciding factor: The March 2019 VA examiner diagnosed the Veteran with right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and opined that it was less likely than not incurred or caused by service-connected Bell's palsy, but also noted extensive use of hands in repairing jet engines as a possible cause. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20002768
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (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 20002768.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and low back pain, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury in service or within one year after separation from service.
- Denied
The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome with polyneuropathy was rated at 40 percent from October 22, 2018 to January 13, 2020. The Board denied an increased rating greater than 40 percent for the period prior to January 13, 2020.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to bilateral foot condition, low back condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome scars. The appeal is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.