Paralysis of the ulnar nerve, which may cause weakness and numbness in the ring and little fingers.
Medical records and physical exam findings are central to supporting a rating for ulnar nerve paralysis. For a complete paralysis rating, an examiner would need to document the griffin claw deformity, marked muscle wasting in the dorsal interspace and the thenar and hypothenar areas of the hand, and measured loss of ring and little finger extension, finger spreading, thumb adduction, and wrist flexion strength — all on the affected side, with a note on which arm is dominant.
For incomplete paralysis at the severe, moderate, or mild level, records showing the degree of motor and sensory loss compared to the full picture above are what distinguish one level from the next. Nerve conduction studies or electromyography can objectively document the extent of nerve damage. Imaging or operative reports may show the cause or location of the nerve injury. Statements from you or people who know you describing how hand weakness or loss of sensation affects work tasks, gripping, writing, or daily activities help show functional impact, which is relevant to placing the rating within the incomplete paralysis levels.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
