The veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his right leg shortening, gunshot wound residuals, scar on the thigh, and deformity of the lower back plates were denied. The most favorable evaluation assigned was 40 percent for the muscle damage residuals from a gunshot wound to the right thigh.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an increase in evaluations beyond the currently assigned ratings based on the severity of the veteran's conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Shortening of the right leg, Muscle damage residuals from a gunshot wound to the right thigh (injuring muscle group XIV), Scar on the lateral aspect of the right thigh, Deformity of the inferior articular plates at L-3, L-4, and L-5 in the lower back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 14, 2002
- Citation
- 0216323
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 0216323.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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