The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left upper extremities are being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient to adjudicate these claims. The addendum opinion must address whether the bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for diabetic retinopathy with focal laser treatment (previously rated as eye condition) is being remanded. The VA examiner must determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy and whether any other related psychiatric disability, including PTSD, were incurred in or are related to his service.
The deciding factor: The addendum opinion should address whether the bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was caused or aggravated by the service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.,The VA examiner must determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy and whether any other related psychiatric disability, including PTSD, were incurred in or are related to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity, diabetic retinopathy with focal laser treatment (previously rated as eye condition), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2021
- Citation
- A21020330
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 A21020330.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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