Background: I had a C & P exam on 5 Dec 2015 for several disabilities. The examiner didn't mention cervical radiculopathy during the exam but in his notes he stated that the numbness in the upper extremity was caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and not cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy had been diagnosed twice...once while I was on active duty and once after. Are the second examiners findings as shown below likely to help my claim?
Excerpts from the DBQ:
The examiner stated that the right upper extremity is CTS; however, we have
the private EMG showing moderate CTS on the right with ulnar neuropathy and
C7 radiculopathy. Please review the evidence listed above (noting that you
are not restricted to just the evidence above) and state whether or not the
Veteran has a diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to
his cervical spine, or right ulnar neuropathy directly related to military
service.
Second examiners findings:
VBMS reviewed.
As noted, veteran appears to have cervical radiculopathy, ulnar neuropathy,
and CTS. As each of these abnormalities are in anatomically different
locations, they are not mutually exclusive. He has STR noting bilateral
cervical radiculopathy in 2000 as well as an '03 dx of ulnar neuropathy
and positive exam findings for CTS. It would appear more likely than not that
veteran has neuropathies involving all three anatomical locations based on
exam and NCS findings and is at least as likely as not that they fit the
Question
gs106
Background: I had a C & P exam on 5 Dec 2015 for several disabilities. The examiner didn't mention cervical radiculopathy during the exam but in his notes he stated that the numbness in the upper extremity was caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and not cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy had been diagnosed twice...once while I was on active duty and once after. Are the second examiners findings as shown below likely to help my claim?
Excerpts from the DBQ:
The examiner stated that the right upper extremity is CTS; however, we have
the private EMG showing moderate CTS on the right with ulnar neuropathy and
C7 radiculopathy. Please review the evidence listed above (noting that you
are not restricted to just the evidence above) and state whether or not the
Veteran has a diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to
his cervical spine, or right ulnar neuropathy directly related to military
service.
Second examiners findings:
VBMS reviewed.
As noted, veteran appears to have cervical radiculopathy, ulnar neuropathy,
and CTS. As each of these abnormalities are in anatomically different
locations, they are not mutually exclusive. He has STR noting bilateral
cervical radiculopathy in 2000 as well as an '03 dx of ulnar neuropathy
and positive exam findings for CTS. It would appear more likely than not that
veteran has neuropathies involving all three anatomical locations based on
exam and NCS findings and is at least as likely as not that they fit the
timeframe to connect to service.
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Vync
You got both "more likely than" (75%) and "as likely as not" (50%) in there, which usually is good, but pwrslm is right that the weight of a neuro doc specialist exceeds that of a general practitioner
pwrslm
Examiner qualifications are a high point here. Was the guy a neurologist? If not, I cant see him/her prevailing in a challenge on this. Is the Cervical radiculopathy active? The Ulnar neuropathy h
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