Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the appellant's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left lower extremity and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased evaluation of the left upper extremity disability was denied.

The deciding factor: The VA medical evidence showed no muscle injuries from the wounds, but there were scars and chronic pain in both the left upper and lower extremities. The appellant's current employment status and his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Claimed conditions
Shrapnel wounds of left upper and lower extremities
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
January 8, 2003
Citation
0300322

Veterans Law Judge

MARY GALLAGHER

Decisions by this judge: 1,464 · Granted: 14% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 0300322.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

What you can do next

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.