VA Rating for Carpal Tunnel Explained (The Ultimate Guide) (2023)

FAQs

What is the VA rating scale for carpal tunnel syndrome? ›

Id. The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8515, which addresses the median nerve. A 10 percent rating is appropriate for both the major and minor hand when there is mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

Electrophysiological tests.

Your doctor may order electrophysiological testing of your nerves to measure how well your median nerve is working and help determine whether there is too much pressure on the nerve. These tests will also help your doctor determine: The severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ratings for carpal tunnel are based on the paralysis of the median nerve, and each hand is rated separately. Ratings are as follows: 70% for the dominant hand and 60% non-dominant hand: This rating is given for complete paralysis.

A 30 percent rating is granted for numbness, right hand. A 20 percent rating is granted for numbness, left hand.

The maximum rating for limitation of motion of the wrist (dorsiflexion or palmar flexion) is 10 percent. 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Code 5215. Limitation of supination of the forearm to 30 degrees or less warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Nerve Conduction Velocity Test

The nerve conduction velocity test is one of the most dependable ways to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. By measuring how fast an electrical signal travels along the forearm's nerve or from the nerve to a muscle, this test can produce reliable evidence of the syndrome.

Sensory Nerve Conduction Studies

Median nerve conduction velocities measuring less than 50 meters per second across the carpal tunnel or a difference of the conduction velocity of the wrist-to-digit segment compared to the palm-to-digit segment greater than 10 meters per second indicate signs of CTS.

Patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome have normal to mildly abnormal nerve conduction study and electromyography findings. Severe disease is suggested by worsening clinical symptoms and clearly abnormal electrodiagnostic studies (Table 4).

VA disability ratings are expressed as percentages and range from 10% to 100%. The disability rating for radiculopathy can range from 10% for minor radiculopathy affecting the hand to 90% for major paralysis affecting all three radicular groups (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar).

Both rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis are considered chronic diseases that are subject to presumptive service connection. Veterans may receive a 10% VA disability rating if arthritic symptoms appear within one year of service discharge.

What is a typical carpal tunnel syndrome? ›

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. You may feel numbness, weakness, pain in your hand and wrist, and your fingers may become swollen and useless.

Disabilities are rated based on whether the injury affects a dominant or non-dominant hand. A 10 percent rating is warranted when the injury is moderate in either the dominant or non-dominant hand. A 20 percent rating is warranted when the injury is moderately severe in either the dominant or non-dominant hand.

Remember that the maximum rating of 40% can be assigned to every extremity affected by peripheral neuropathy. For example, a Veteran with severe and provable symptoms of neuropathy in both hands may receive a rating of 30% per hand for a total rating of 60% of maximum VA disability benefits for both extremities.

The VA doesn't have a diagnostic code for peripheral neuropathy, so the VA rates the condition based on the nerve(s) involved. Typically speaking, the maximum VA rating for peripheral neuropathy is 40%, but you may be entitled to more if your symptoms are severe and includes several of your limbs affected.

HOW DOES THE VA RATE NECK PAIN? The severity of your neck pain can be rated from 10% to 100%, depending on the limitation in your range of motion (ROM). ROM testing includes accounting for painful motion, as typically VA will concede functional loss at the point that painful motion begins.

Unlike other disabilities, erectile dysfunction is not given a rating schedule but instead, uses the following to determine compensation: Code 7520 Partial removal of the penis. This gives a rating of 30%.

Disabling mental health conditions are generally regarded as “high-value” claims. This is because mental health issues are much more likely than neurological, skin, auditory, or most musculoskeletal conditions to receive a disability rating of 30% or higher.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis and Tests

Your doctor may tap the palm side of your wrist, a test called Tinel sign, or fully flex your wrist with your arms extended. They might also do tests including: Imaging tests. X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI exams can let your doctor look at your bones and tissues.

This disorder often presents itself in patients through one of three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Many individuals who develop carpel tunnel often become aware of their condition once the pain is acute, reoccurring, and has increased in severity.

In rare cases carpal tunnel can cause shoulder pain. Patients can experience referred pain shooting up the arm from the wrist to the shoulder and even to the neck. This pain can sometimes feel like an electric shock. In other cases patients can have a condition known as double crush syndrome.

What are the five symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? ›

Pressure provocation test

A positive result in this test is the presence of pain, tingling and numbness in the distribution of the median nerve when the examiner presses with his/her thumb on the palmar aspect of the patient's wrist at the level of the carpal tunnel for 60 seconds.

Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A wrist fracture can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, as can the swelling and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Many times, there is no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Moderate Sensory (Grade 4): Where SCV is less than 40 m/s from digit III, with normal sensory amplitude and normal motor values. Moderate Sensory-Motor (Grade 5): Where SCV is less than 40 m/s from digit III, with normal sensory amplitude, DML ≥ 4.2 ms, with normal motor amplitude and CV.

Numbness and pain are the result. It can affect one or both hands. The muscles of the thumb are also serviced by the median nerve. A person with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome may find they cannot properly use or move their thumb any more, and may find it difficult to grasp objects.

You may be able to treat carpal tunnel syndrome with rest, ice, medicine, and wrist splints. You also can learn to do some tasks in a way that doesn't hurt your wrist. Surgery may be a better choice if you've had very bad symptoms for a long time.

VA Ratings for Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy

Most veterans receive a rating of 10 to 20 percent. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases.

Radiculopathy in arms, buttocks or lower extremities can be secondary to several underlying physical conditions, such as: Back strain or spinal injury. Degenerative arthritis. Herniated discs.

§ 4.71a, Codes 5223, 5230. Under Code 5230, any limitation of ring or little finger motion warrants a 0 percent rating. Under Code 5223, ankylosis of both the long and ring or both the ring and little fingers of either hand warrants a 10 percent rating.

Veterans receive either a 10% or 20% rating depending on the severity of their symptoms and the number of joints affected. A 20% rating requires that two or more major joints or two or more groups of minor joints have occasional incapacitating episodes.

What is the VA rating for wrist mobility? ›

Ratings for limitation of wrist motion are provided under Diagnostic Code 5215. A 10 percent rating is assigned where dorsiflexion is less than 15 degrees, or where palmar flexion is limited in line with the forearm. The 10 percent rating is the maximum rating available for limitation of wrist motion.

What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating.

How VA Rates Carpal Tunnel and Wrist Pain. The VA rating for carpal tunnel is generally 10%, but they may give it a higher rating based on the severity of the condition and the hand that it inflicts. The VA will evaluate both the right hand and left hand separately, adding the two ratings together for a final number.

Recovery time from either a surgery or the immobilization of a joint by a cast without surgery requires a temporary 100% disability rating for a service-connected disability. The temporary 100% rating may continue for 1 to 3 months—depending on your unique case.

Doctors Focus on Range of Motion During C&P Exams

When it comes to evaluating disability benefits for back pain, the VA uses a rating formula that is heavily based on range of motion, which is a measurement of how much you can move a joint or muscle.

In order to get service connection for their neuropathy, veterans must prove to the VA that their condition was caused by their military service or by another service-connected condition. This can be done using medical records and service personnel records.

The VA rates sleep apnea on a range of 0% for a documented sleep disorder that is asymptomatic, 30% for persistent day-time sleepiness, 50% with the required use of a breathing device such as a CPAP machine, or 100% with chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale (abnormal enlargement of ...

A 40 percent rating is the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion of the lumbosacral spine under Diagnostic Code 5292. The Board has considered rating the veteran's low back disability under all potentially applicable diagnostic codes to determine whether a more favorable rating is warranted.

Like many neurological conditions, carpal tunnel is a disorder that worsens over time. This disorder often presents itself in patients through one of three stages: mild, moderate, and severe.

So, when is carpal tunnel syndrome severe enough for surgery? I recommend surgery to patients with severe symptoms such as significant sleep deprivation and disturbances, any muscle weakness, and to those who have gotten no relief of symptoms with at least 6-8 weeks of the nonsurgical treatment choices.

What is severe carpal tunnel syndrome? ›

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. You may feel numbness, weakness, pain in your hand and wrist, and your fingers may become swollen and useless.

Arthritic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis, can all cause pain in the hands and fingers that may mimic carpal tunnel syndrome.

While carpal tunnel syndrome can occur at any age, it most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 60.

The dangers of waiting too long to get surgery can lead to irreversible nerve damage and muscle atrophy, resulting in a permanent inability to properly use your hands and fingers.

Other potential risks of a carpal tunnel release surgery include: Bleeding. Infection. Injury to the median nerve or nerves that branch out from it.

Occasionally, the hand pain, tingling, and numbness symptoms increase after surgery. These patients are worse after surgery than they were before surgery. Sometimes this is a result of post-operative swelling putting pressure on the nerve, which can improve with time and anti-inflammatory medications.

Overuse of the wrist is one of the top reasons people develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This is especially true in jobs that require a significant amount of typing on a computer.

Take a pain reliever, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Wear a snug, not tight, wrist splint at night. You can find these over the counter at most drugstores or pharmacies.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be very painful and sometimes causes unusual sensations. If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome tends to worsen and can lead to permanent damage of the median nerve.