The veteran's shell fragment wounds and associated scars have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation prior to September 24, 2001 for either condition or scar. For conditions rated under Diagnostic Codes 7804 (scar) and 5309 (hand), no higher evaluations are warranted as there is no evidence of pain, instability, or functional impairment that would justify a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's shell fragment wounds have not been shown to be productive of symptoms such as tenderness, pain, or other symptomatology prior to September 24, 2001. The scar has also not demonstrated any signs of instability, pain, or functional impairment that would warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Shell Fragment Wound of the Chin, Shell Fragment Wound of the Right Hand with Contracture of the Right 5th Finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2002
- Citation
- 0206469
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0206469.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Whole decision: Granted
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