The Veteran's right ulnar nerve disorder is service-connected due to pre-existing condition that was aggravated by active duty service.,The Veteran has residuals from excision of a tumor from the right elbow, which are also service-connected.,Service connection for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event resulting in such a disability.,Service connection for left arm disorders (claimed secondary to a claimed back disorder) and lower extremity radiculopathies (claimed secondary to a claimed back disorder) are also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pre-existing right ulnar nerve disorder was aggravated by active duty service, resulting in current symptoms.,The tumor excision residuals from the right elbow are considered part of the overall right ulnar nerve disorder and thus service-connected.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that resulted in a back disability.,Secondary service connection for left arm disorders (claimed secondary to a claimed back disorder) and lower extremity radiculopathies (claimed secondary to a claimed back disorder) are not supported by the evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ulnar nerve disorder, Left carpal tunnel syndrome, Thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21032743
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 21032743.
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 Veteran is granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 7, 2020 for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted from January 20, 2024. His bilateral carpal instability and right upper ulnar tunnel syndrome are rated at the maximum possible under VA regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for brain tumor, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions regarding toxic exposure.
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