The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, finding no evidence that the conditions were incurred in or caused by service, including exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was found more probative than the private physician's opinion and the Veteran is a layperson not competent to opine on the etiology of his neurological disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand, Carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25099821
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 141 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25099821.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand prior to September 23, 2017 due to insufficient evidence of mild incomplete paralysis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and a compensable rating, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his back and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand and remanded the issue of a higher rating for cervical degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current severity.
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