The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected scar to right forearm, status post melanoma is denied.,Service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802, as the Veteran's scar is less than 39 square centimeters in area.,Neither opinion addresses whether the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his military service or non-herbicide-agent-related toxic exposure risk activities.
- Claimed conditions
- scar to right forearm, status post melanoma, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26001903
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 A26001903.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and low back pain, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury in service or within one year after separation from service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed because the notice of disagreement was not timely filed. The appeals for service connection for right upper carpal tunnel syndrome and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome with polyneuropathy was rated at 40 percent from October 22, 2018 to January 13, 2020. The Board denied an increased rating greater than 40 percent for the period prior to January 13, 2020.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to bilateral foot condition, low back condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome scars. The appeal is dismissed.
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