The Board granted an effective date of September 15, 2009, for the award of a 30 percent rating for right CTS and a 20 percent rating for left CTS. The claim for a higher rating for TMJ prior to April 12, 2023, was denied, as was service connection for a GI disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve for both right and left CTS, warranting the assigned ratings from the date of service connection. For TMJ, there was no evidence supporting a higher rating prior to April 12, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), gastrointestinal (GI) disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022241
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) as the evidence did not show a vertical inter-incisal opening measured between 21 to 29 mm even when considering flare-ups or dietary restrictions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability, CTS in both hands and hips, MDD, and OSA, due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, a right ear disorder other than hearing loss and tinnitus, an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for asthma, and various other conditions due to insufficient evidence of current disability or no relationship to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she is entitled to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes on and from December 19, 2015. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound criteria for accrued benefits purposes.
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