The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand is denied. The March 14, 1952 rating decision was not subject to clear and unmistakable error as it was subsumed in a May 1953 Board decision.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claim for an increased rating failed to meet the criteria under diagnostic codes that would warrant a higher evaluation. The current 30 percent rating adequately reflects his disability level based on sensory loss and muscle weakness.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound to the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 6, 2000
- Citation
- 0014878
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 0014878.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been voluntarily withdrawn, and thus the issue is dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted a higher rating of 70% for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand, finding that the evidence shows complete paralysis of the dominant hand.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion to determine if any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.
- Denied
The veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for 10 years prior to his death. However, the claim is denied as there is no actual entitlement to compensation at a total disability rating.
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