Citation Nr: 18141246
Decision Date: 10/10/18	Archive Date: 10/10/18

DOCKET NO. 14-36 847
DATE:	October 10, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Veteran’s bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.159, 3.303, 3.304.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served from November 1990 to November 2010.  The Veteran testified at an September 2018 central office hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge.  A hearing transcript is of record.  The Board notes that the Veteran’s name appears to be misspelled in the heading, based on his statements at the hearing.  The RO should coordinate with the Veteran to correct this at the earliest opportunity.   
Service Connection
Under the relevant laws and regulations, service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131.  Generally, the evidence must show: (1) the existence of a present disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.  Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1166-67 (Fed. Cir. 2004); Caluza v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 498, 505 (1995).
VA must give due consideration to all pertinent medical and lay evidence in a case where a veteran is seeking service connection. 38 U.S.C. § 1154(a). When there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding any issue material to the determination of a matter, the Secretary shall give the benefit of the doubt to the veteran. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b).
1. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome
The Veteran contends that his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of his service. 
After a review of the evidence of record, the Boards finds that service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome should be granted. 
Specifically, the Veteran’s service treatment records from July 2010 show complaints of numb hands from doing work that required gripping or holding for long periods of time.  An August 2010 report of medical history revealed reports of bilateral carpal tunnel and numbness and tingling in the wrist.  Additionally, the Veteran reported the use of braces in the past for carpal tunnel.  Further, the Veteran’s carpal tunnel syndrome was noted on his pre-discharge compensation claim in November 2010.   
In June 2012, the Veteran underwent an EMG study after complaints of occasional paresthesias.  The results of the EMG study revealed a diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral hand numbness that was greater on the right than the left.  
In sum, based up on the Veteran’s service treatment records and post service treatment records the Board finds that service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is warranted.  The Veteran has clearly established a diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and the evidence of record clearly establishes an etiological relationship between his service and his current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.  
The Board wishes to again convey its appreciation for the Veteran’s long service in the Navy, and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
 
B.T. KNOPE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	E. Vample, Associate Counsel