The veteran's service-connected right thigh and left shoulder disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings, and his combined disability rating does not render him unemployable.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently found no more than moderate injury to Muscle Groups XIV and XV on the right thigh, with some limitation of hip motion. The veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent due to hypertrophic degenerative arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh, Residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0217747
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 0217747.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for PTSD with depressive features and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder was denied. The Board also found that referral for an extraschedular rating was not warranted.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from non-sedentary or sedentary employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, by themselves or in concert, have not been sufficient at any time during the period of the claim to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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.