The Veteran's initial rating for right wrist degenerative arthritis and carpal tunnel syndromes was denied, but a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent was granted for the right wrist disability from July 12, 2022. The ratings for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome remain at 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis in the right wrist or severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve in either upper extremity, which would warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist degenerative arthritis (right wrist disability), Right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, Left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23019325
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 23019325.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied by the Board. The evidence does not support a finding of severe incomplete paralysis, leading to a rating higher than 40 percent for the right hand or 30 percent for the left hand.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right knee chondromalacia medial femoral condyle with acute bursitis, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Board found that the supplemental claim received by VA on January 5, 2024 constitutes the date of claim for these conditions. The effective dates cannot be earlier than this date due to the final nature of previous decisions.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from September 1, 2008 to May 20, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.
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