The Veteran's service-connected residuals of the right long (middle) finger and left inguinal hernia are both rated at 10 percent, effective from September 8, 2016.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no ankylosis for the right long finger condition and recurrence of the left inguinal hernia in May 2013. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be equivalent to favorable ankylosis for the right long finger, and recurrent postoperative hernias warrant a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals, injury, right long (middle) finger, Left inguinal herniorrhaphy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23001945
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23001945.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairments. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and granted TDIU due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a left inguinal herniorrhaphy do not result in unemployability.
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