The Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to the right-hand ulnar nerve distribution with CTS resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, warranting a 50% rating. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy was denied as it is not related to his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy did not result from or worsen his service-connected residuals of an injury to the right-hand ulnar nerve distribution with CTS, and thus could not be granted secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical radiculopathy, Right CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome), Complex regional pain syndrome affecting the right thumb, index finger, long finger, little finger, and ring finger
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23048498
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 23048498.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted separate ratings of 30 percent for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and 40 percent for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, effective March 16, 2017.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.
- Granted
The Veteran's ratings for cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities were reduced from 40% and 30%, respectively, to 20%. The Board found that the procedural requirements for reduction of disability ratings were not properly followed and restored the original ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence, including lay statements and medical opinions.
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