The Board has granted service connection for right and left elbow disorders, diagnosed as ulnar neuropathy and medial epicondylitis, and for right and left hand disorders, diagnosed as median nerve carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active military service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by private physicians and VA examiners supported a finding that the Veteran's elbow and hand disorders were incurred in his active service due to repetitive motions and overuse during his duties as a vehicle mechanic.
- Claimed conditions
- ulnar neuropathy, medial epicondylitis, median nerve carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19149224
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a nerve disability affecting the left upper extremity to obtain an addendum opinion addressing its etiology.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for earlier effective dates for higher ratings of left elbow strain and medial epicondylitis, stating that the evidence did not show these conditions had worsened before April 20, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right elbow disorder, including various conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome and bicep tendon tear. The Veteran's statements do not limit the scope of the claim.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current right elbow disability is not linked to a disease or injury incurred in service, specifically his 1979 injury during active duty for training. The claim was denied as there was no credible evidence of continuity of symptoms since the injury.
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