Space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel

Definition

The RMA has defined a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel as "one of the following entities occupying space within the carpal tunnel:

(a) neoplasm;

(b) aneurysm;

(c) calcification;

(d) cyst; or

(e) ganglion".

Examples of some of these include haemangioma, neuroma of the median nerve, aneurysm of the median artery, synovial sarcoma, tendon sheath fibroma and lipoma.

Establishing a history of space occupying lesion

If a veteran or member had a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel he or she would most likely have sought medical attention at some time.  Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate symptoms and/or medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel rather than to some other illness or injury.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 21 FEBRUARY 2014.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [17104]

17518 there is some evidence that a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

17392 the veteran has suffered from a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body at some time.

17393  a space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel means a neoplasm, an aneurysm, calcification, a cyst or a ganglion occupying space within the carpal tunnel. [Default true]

17394  the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and VEA service for carpal tunnel syndrome.

17401 the veteran suffered from the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

17395   the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and VEA service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

17397  the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and operational service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

or

17398  the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and eligible service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

17402 the veteran suffered from the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

17396   the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and VEA service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

17399  the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and operational service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

or

17400  the veteran has established the causal connection between the space occupying lesion in the affected carpal tunnel and eligible service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [17397]

17403  the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [17398]

17404  the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [17399]

17403  the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

17405 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [17400]

17404  the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

17406 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, a space occupying lesion in the carpal tunnel of side and site of the body, is causally related.ý