The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left thigh gunshot wound involving Muscle Group XIV, finding that the residuals did not more nearly approximate severe muscle impairment.
The deciding factor: The examiner found only mild residuals of the muscle injury and there was no evidence of knee instability or pain. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle Group XIV injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0328951
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 0328951.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's muscle group XIV injury and right knee traumatic arthritis are still under consideration.
- Denied
The Veteran's residuals of injury to Muscle Group XIV are currently rated at 10 percent disabling, the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code 7804-5314. The issue of evaluation for a bilateral hearing loss disability is addressed in the REMAND portion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if multiple disabilities are separately ratable under the rule in Esteban v. Brown and to obtain sufficient medical evidence to rate them accordingly.
- Granted
The VA determined that the veteran's right thigh GSW injury, involving Muscle Group XIV, warrants a 10 percent disability rating.
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.