The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left-hand disability (claimed as numbness and tingling), to include carpal tunnel syndrome, due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The May 2023 VA examiner did not provide a diagnosis for the claimed left hand disability and the medical record was silent for the claim of left hand carpal tunnel syndrome or left hand problems. The Board finds that another remand is required to obtain a medical addendum opinion which addresses the nature and etiology of the diagnoses relating to the Veteran's left hand during the entire appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- numbness and tingling in left hand, carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24001230
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 remands the claim for a left upper extremity condition, claimed as a left shoulder condition, to schedule a VA examination and obtain an opinion on whether the condition is related to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right wrist condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, based on the Veteran's credible reports of pain and weakness since service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fatigue, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, penile condition, left foot disability, and others. Some claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, while denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, neck strain, shoulder strain, and sleep apnea.
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