diabetes Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[Charleese]

Hi,

My husband has been diagnose with and has Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by both Private Doctor and VA doctors. He has this ever since the 90s. He had operation in 2004 on right hand which did not help and now he refuses to have left hand operated on.

As you know he has a left knee injury that is service connected. He has osteoarthritic changes to it. He has Atrophy which they say is because of limited use of his left knee. He now has a knee brace for left knee, plus he uses a cane. He has arthritis in Left Shoulder and Right Shoulder, Gout, as well as arthritis in right knee. He has Elevated High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Diabetic Eye, High Colestorol, Depression, obesity,

He has plenty of medical evidence both past and current for all of the conditions above both by Private Doctor and VA medical doctors.

He has yet to put in for these conditions because he doesn't know which is SC or Secondary.

My question is how can he get Service connected for CTS or would this be Secondary to Osteoarthritic changes.

Second question which conditions above would be SC or Secondary.

Thanks!

[vaf]

Charleese, is your husband taking any medications considered to be steroids? Long term use of steroid medication can cause CTS. If so, and it's for a service connected disability, then the CTS is a secondary disability related to the service connected disability.

My husband has CTS in both hands, and has a service connected disability for which he has been taking steroids for years. The VA denied it, blaming it on his job, and we've appealed it. As Berta has said on many an occasion, be very mindful of the secondary effects of medication prescribed for service connected disabilities. Regarding steroids, cataracts can also occur.

I don't know if any of this applies to your case, but I thought I'd mention it.

[Charleese]

Hi VAF,

Yes he takes p.r.n. Diclofenac which I understand is a Nonsteroid Antiflammatory Drug (NSAIDs). He takes 50MG 3 times a day as needed for pain/inflamation. Listed below are a few of the documentations he has as evidence of CTS.

EMG Report dated February 12, 1998 by Dr. Evangelos D. Xistris which states “Interpretation: EMG examination of both upper extremities revealed markedly severe median neuropathies at the wrists. Consult Report dated 7/2/02 from Henry M. Rubinstein, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery, which states diagnosis: “Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. Final Consultation Report from The Stamford Hospital dated 5/22/97 Spine Cervical Routine Exam – cervical arthritis. Impression: Mild intervertebral disc space narrowing and spurs, C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7. Also Final Consultation Report, Exam date 2/12/98 Cervical Spine - Impression: Degenerative disc disease at all levels studied. Mild canal stenosis is evident from C3 through C6. Left lateral recess compromise is evident at C6-7. A small central bulge is evident at C2-3. He also has various VA Medical Records past and current stating Bilateral CTS.

[jbasser]

The Cervical spine may be the cause of the CTS. Especially if it is bilattarel. Repetive motion usually effects only the dominant hand since it gets more use.