The Board found that the April 30, 1969 rating decision granting service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and assigning it a noncompensable evaluation was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.
The deciding factor: The evidence then of record did not show that the veteran had a tender and painful scar or muscle loss, nor did it indicate a through-and-through wound. The April 30, 1969 rating decision correctly applied VA laws and regulations at the time.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2003
- Citation
- 0306283
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 396 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0306283.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status because he did not meet the criteria at any point prior to September 19, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to September 19, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status because he did not meet the criteria at any point prior to September 19, 2018.
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.