The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand condition is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to service.,Service connection for a disability characterized as muscle pain is also denied, as there is no medical evidence of such a condition during or after service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and low back condition due to insufficient development in previous opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back condition remains pending.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s left hand condition, claimed as carpal tunnel surgery, is related to service. The examiner concluded it was less likely than not incurred or caused by an in-service event.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran had a disability characterized as muscle pain during or after service. The VA opinion found there were no objective indications of such a condition.,The Board has remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's 1991 complaints and treatment for headaches, and his low back condition related to cervical myositis.,The examiner concluded that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s low back condition is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand condition (claimed as carpal tunnel surgery), disability characterized as muscle pain, headaches, low back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20060831
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 20060831.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board found that his current headaches are related to service. Service connection is granted.
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