The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for right and left upper extremities disorder, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and its relationship to service-connected right shoulder disability. The Veteran's complaints of pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling in his arms and hands are noted in both service records and post-service treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found the VA examiner’s opinions insufficient due to reliance on alleged absence of medical evidence of chronicity of care for bilateral hand symptoms without considering the Veteran's documented complaints and treatment history.
- Claimed conditions
- right and left upper extremities disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20075569
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 20075569.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that symptoms began many years after separation from service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral feet conditions (to include bone spurs), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no credible evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.
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