The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which included carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, left ulnar neuropathy, and fracture of the left humerus with traumatic arthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that his combined rating qualified for consideration of a TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in significant impairment affecting both upper extremities, making it impossible for him to engage in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, left ulnar neuropathy, fracture of the left humerus, postoperative with resection of the radial head and traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- July 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0924972
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 0924972.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the March 2024 rating decision. The Veteran's CVA is related to his service-connected hypertension, but not solely caused by it. Right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are related to in-service lifting heavy equipment as part of his MOS. The gastrointestinal disorder other than sigmoid diverticulitis is related to in-service TERA.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for hearing loss disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.,The Board found that there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria. The Veteran had normal hearing at entry to service but later developed impacted cerumen which obscured her ability to be tested for hearing loss.,For carpal tunnel syndrome, the Board determined that there was no onset during service and no compensable manifestation within one year after separation from service. There is also no evidence linking current symptoms to in-service events or diseases.,Regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board concluded that there were no signs or findings of a psychiatric condition during service. The Veteran's military records indicate she was rated highly and had good relationships with her peers.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left ulnar neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition more nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.
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