The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no credible medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current right arm disabilities to his in-service injuries, as there was no diagnosis or treatment for such conditions until many years after service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Arm Degenerative Arthritis, Right Hand Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20033985
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 20033985.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, shoulder, hand, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right hand and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome were rated at 20 percent from December 1, 2014 to January 17, 2022. The Board found that these conditions did not warrant a higher rating during this period.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran was granted TDIU from July 27, 2009 to May 12, 2012 due to service-connected PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands.,For the period from May 12, 2012, the Veteran is already receiving a maximum disability rating (100%) for his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU. Therefore, the appeal was dismissed as moot.
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