The Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist sprain are being remanded for additional evaluations due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated opinions considering recent EMG results.
The deciding factor: Incomplete medical records, specifically a missing September 2019 electromyography (EMG) test result, prevented the VA examiner from providing an accurate assessment of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, the March 2020 examination did not address the deficiencies in the previous December 2018 examination regarding the frequency and severity of flare-ups for the right wrist disability.
- Claimed conditions
- right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23063194
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 23063194.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection with a 10% disability rating effective August 8, 2023. Service connection for right hand and thumb disabilities as well as right wrist sprain were also granted. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for compensation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.
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