The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, a neurological disability of the right elbow (right cubital tunnel syndrome), and a cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy. The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a left shoulder disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions based on lack of in-service complaints or evidence of pre-existing disabilities, but the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service were found to be credible.
- Claimed conditions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, Carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, Neurological disability of the right elbow (right cubital tunnel syndrome), Right shoulder disorder, Left shoulder disorder, Cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- August 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20056589
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 20056589.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with the implementation of his award for chronic osteomyelitis of the right lower extremity with a BKA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, hip conditions, and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the current right shoulder disorders are related to service, including physical training and duties as a petroleum supply specialist.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an additional medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder.
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