The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and lumbar region, as well as peritoneal adhesions. The current disability levels do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The objective findings did not demonstrate more severe muscle injuries or other factors warranting higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle Group XIX (abdominal region), Muscle Group XX (lumbar region), Peritoneal adhesions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2000
- Citation
- 0024715
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 0024715.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, and the Board found that a disability rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted for peritoneal adhesions with small and large bowel/intestine obstruction and resection. A separate 30 percent rating for fecal incontinence associated with this condition is granted. The Veteran's abdominal scar residuals are rated at 20 percent from October 17, 2018 to December 29, 2023.
- Granted
Service connection is granted for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, peritoneal adhesions, and chronic kidney disease stage 2. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, and small bowel resection are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's small bowel obstruction with exploratory laparoscopy and lysis of adhesions is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment for the periods specified, leading to a grant of TDIU.
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