Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right shoulder, including his acromioclavicular traumatic arthritis, manifest no more than moderately severe injury to Muscle Group III and therefore warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The deciding factor: The type of muscle injury (moderately severe) is consistent with Diagnostic Code 5303 criteria for injuries involving Muscle Group III, which includes the right shoulder. The veteran's injury does not meet the criteria for a more severe disability as defined by Diagnostic Codes 4.72 and 4.73.

Claimed conditions
shell fragment wound to the right shoulder, acromioclavicular traumatic arthritis
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
30%
Decision date
August 8, 2002
Citation
0209444

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 0209444.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.