The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected multiple traumas to left hand, fingers, and tendons. His PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's condition of surgical repairs and joint fusions of multiple traumas to the left hand, fingers, and tendons does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that there was insufficient evidence to support a nexus between the hepatitis C and the service-connected multiple traumas. The PTSD symptoms were found to approximate a 70% disability rating but did not meet the criteria for a higher 100% rating due to lack of delusions or hallucinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Multiple Traumas to Left Hand, Fingers, and Tendons
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23050993
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 23050993.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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