If you suffer from numbness, tingling, or pain in your wrists or hands, you may be eligible for disability ratings. This condition is rated under diagnostic code 8515, Paralysis of the Median Nerve.
To receive a rating, you must prove that your carpal tunnel syndrome began in service or was caused by another service-connected condition. To do this, you need medical evidence, including a diagnosis, treatment records, and statements from your doctor.
Symptoms
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when you have pain, numbness, and weakness in the thumb and fingers on the palm side of your hand due to pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Symptoms are most severe at night and may keep you awake or awake. They can also flare up during the day when you hold things for long periods with your wrist bent, such as talking on the phone or driving. Determining a carpal tunnel VA rating involves assessing the severity of the condition’s impact on a veteran’s hand function and overall ability to perform daily tasks, considering the limitations caused by this specific nerve-related ailment.
To diagnose C.T.S., your doctor will do a physical exam and possibly some specialized testing. They might prick your skin to see if you can feel sensation, bend your wrist at a 90-degree angle (Phalen test), tap on your palm with a reflex hammer to see if it causes tingling in your fingers, or do a nerve conduction study. During this test, the doctor puts electrodes on your skin and sends tiny electric impulses through your nerves to see how fast they respond. If the signals are delayed, your doctor might suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made based on history and physical exam. During the exam, your provider checks which fingers have numbness or tingling and whether your symptoms worsen at night (causing you to wake up from sleep) or when bending your wrist, such as gripping a steering wheel or phone.
You may be given an electromyography test, where electrodes are taped to your skin, and small shocks are sent to evaluate the nerves’ signals in your wrist and hand. A nerve conduction study test is another way of measuring how well your median nerve is working.
With patience and self-care, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can typically get better. For example, you can take more breaks from repetitive tasks and use a wrist support or cushioned mouse pad. A wrist splint is another tool you can use at night to relieve pressure on your median nerve. Try to do exercises that can improve your flexibility and strength. Surgery can reduce pain, numbness, and weakness. It’s essential to treat the problem early to avoid permanent nerve damage.
Severity
The majority of the thumb side of the hand and fingers receive feeling and movement via the median nerve, which goes into the wrist’s carpal tunnel. When there is pressure on this nerve, symptoms can include tingling, pain, and weakness.
In the mild stage of carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms can appear intermittently. They might be noticeable during specific activities or when sleeping. The problem is that these symptoms will probably progress to the moderate stage if left untreated.
When the median nerve reaches this stage, it will be crushed even more. As a result, the tingling and pain will become constant. Many patients will also experience a loss of hand strength and agility. At this point, doctors will usually recommend surgery. Unfortunately, this surgery will likely fail if done at this point. The only way to halt the condition’s progression is to seek treatment early. This will help to reduce the chances of getting to the moderate and severe stages of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Impact on Daily Life
Carpal tunnel syndrome may significantly impact your everyday activities and quality of life. Depending on your symptoms and how they affect you, you may be eligible for disability compensation from the VA. However, the process can be complex and lengthy, especially given the large claims backlog. It’s essential to speak with a qualified V.A. disability attorney to understand how long it will take to receive your rating.
To qualify for a rating, you must have medical evidence that supports your claim. This could be a doctor’s opinion or service treatment records. You must also provide proof that your carpal tunnel syndrome was caused by or made worse by active-duty military service or by another medical condition for a secondary service connection. This is called the nexus requirement.
This Veteran’s left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was manifested by numbness, burning, weakness, and pain. Its severity did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under the Schedule for Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves (38 C.F.R. 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8515).
