The Board remands the service connection claims for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
The deciding factor: The RO's failure to obtain an opinion regarding the secondary service connection theory for CTS raised by the record was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, necessitating remand.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25055705
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 the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea based on the evidence supporting in-service onset of symptoms that have persisted since service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The right knee osteoarthritis issue was remanded for further evaluation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected cervical spine disability, as well as dismissed claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities.
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