The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound of the left arm, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The issue of service connection for PTSD was also addressed but is pending.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings and medical records did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of the gunshot wound to the left arm.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound of the left arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2002
- Citation
- 0215336
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 0215336.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that an effective date of April 30, 1999 is warranted for the award of TDIU due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the appellant's erectile dysfunction is not caused or made worse by his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner also diagnosed him with residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm, but did not find any aggravation due to the PTSD. As such, the claim for increased rating was denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA determined that the appellant's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm do not warrant an increased rating beyond 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy is related to diabetes mellitus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including ensuring a complete Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) is associated with the claims file and that the veteran has been provided an appropriate response period.
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