The veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, PTSD warrants a 10% evaluation, and the right hand injury with deformity and loss of motion of the index finger, degenerative arthritis of the thumb, carpometacarpal joint, and long finger strain is rated at 40%. The veteran's TDIU claim is held in abeyance.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the appellant had tinnitus attributable to service exposure. PTSD was found to have mild symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, despite some distress from his condition). The right hand injury resulted in significant functional loss but did not meet criteria for ankylosis or amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C, Tinnitus, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Hand Gunshot Wound with Deformity and Loss of Motion of the Index Finger, Degenerative Arthritis of the Thumb, Carpometacarpal Joint, and Long Finger Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2004
- Citation
- 0422270
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0422270.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
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