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Denied

The Veteran's back condition is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity CTS with median nerve compressive neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.,The Veteran's left upper extremity CTS s/p carpal tunnel release with residual scar does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The deciding factor: Service treatment records do not show complaints or treatment of a chronic back condition during service and the evidence does not otherwise indicate that the Veteran’s back disorder is related to service.,The current severity of the Veteran's right upper extremity CTS with median nerve compressive neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent as it results in mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, which corresponds to a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 8515.,The current severity of the Veteran's left upper extremity CTS s/p carpal tunnel release with residual scar does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent as it results in mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, which corresponds to a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 8515.

Claimed conditions
back condition, right upper extremity CTS with median nerve compressive neuropathy, left upper extremity CTS s/p carpal tunnel release with residual scar, prostatitis
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
August 31, 2020
Citation
20057527

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 20057527.

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