The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent, while her right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied for a higher rating.,Her right knee patellofemoral syndrome and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are both remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms have only been recorded as sensory, which is not sufficient to warrant a higher rating under current criteria. The Board notes that moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve is the maximum rating available for sensory symptoms.,The Veteran has instability in her right knee and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. A new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions meet the criteria for separate ratings or aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, Right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23054918
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 23054918.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8515.,The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle and left ankle are both currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as there is no evidence that meets the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5003-5271.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for hypertension, fatigue, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a neck condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from May 25, 2016 to January 18, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 7, 2017, but no earlier, to July 26, 2019, and he was granted basic eligibility for DEA benefits during the same period.
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