Opinion ID: 4557214
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Disability Compensation Claims

Text: Mr. Payne served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from February 1980 to July 1992 as a communications systems maintenance technician. J.A. 204. On July 13, 1992, he was honorably discharged for “permanent disability retirement.” Id. In April 1993, a VA Regional Office (“RO”) granted Mr. Payne’s claim for service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome (“CTS”) of each hand. J.A. 24–32. Over the years, Mr. Payne filed several claims and appeals, ultimately leading to an increase of the initial disability ratings for Mr. Payne’s right and left CTS to 50% and 40%, respectively, both effective July 14, 1992, and a serviceCase: 20-1459 Document: 31 Page: 3 Filed: 08/20/2020 PAYNE v. WILKIE 3 connection award for hand-arm vibration syndrome (“HAVS”). J.A. 90–99, 100–08. The procedural history of Mr. Payne’s appeals spans over 27 years. We review only the procedural history most relevant to this appeal.