The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The heart disability claim was granted with a 30% rating prior to March 20, 2014, and a 60% rating from that date until March 21, 2019 (excluding the temporary total rating period). A separate 30% rating for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with coronary artery disease was granted from July 22, 2012 to October 10, 2016. The temporary total rating claim was denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims were not supported by competent medical evidence and the Board found that his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome likely developed over many years of working with his hands post-service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to support a direct relationship between his in-service repetitive use of his hands, fingers, and wrists and his current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found that the condition began after service and was more likely due to work-related activities rather than military service.
- Claimed conditions
- left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20066892
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,772 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20066892.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring new VA examinations for the appellant's left carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist osteoarthritis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as it found that the benefits originally sought have been granted in full, and thus there is no longer a specific error of fact or law to address.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted increased ratings to 20% and 30%, respectively, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and a left foot condition must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The claim for an effective date of February 25, 2024 for bipolar disorder is granted.
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