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.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his claims, as he was first diagnosed with CTS in September 2011, more than 25 years after separation from service. The evidence does not support the finding of continuity of symptomatology under 38 CFR § 3.303(b).
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26037269
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 A26037269.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The claim for service connection of a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, and low back pain due to potential errors in duty to assist. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents and obtain private treatment records.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of February 26, 2011 for the award of service connection for low back pain with left sacroiliac dysfunction based on new evidence received after a final denial.
- 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.
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