The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and arthritis of the left hand with various limitations, are found to hinder his ability to perform some types of occupational tasks. The Board has determined that there was a predecisional duty-to-assist error in determining the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and has ordered an examination to assess the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and arthritis of the left hand with various limitations, are found to hinder his ability to perform some types of occupational tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, post-operative scar of the left wrist, retained metallic fragments in the left wrist, painful scarring of the left wrist, arthritis of the left hand, with limitation of motion of the thumb, arthritis of the left hand, with limitation of motion of the longer finger, arthritis of the left hand, with limitation of motion of the index finger, arthritis of the left hand, with limitation of motion of the ring finger, arthritis of the left hand, with limitation of motion of the little finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2024
- Citation
- A24014356
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 A24014356.
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 Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, a seizure disorder, an inguinal hernia, an acquired psychiatric disability, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's submissions, as review of the May 2022 and March 2022 rating decisions could only be sought 'in one review lane at a time.'
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and hearing loss. Other claims were remanded for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists due to a failure to obtain or provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.