The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound involving the right upper extremity with retained foreign bodies, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The issue regarding secondary service connection for a right hand disability resulting from his SFWs to the right arm was addressed and granted, but the initial rating assigned for this condition is still pending.
The deciding factor: The veteran's residuals of shell fragment wounds did not result in frequent hospitalizations or marked interference with employment such as to warrant referral for consideration of an extra-schedular rating. The VA examinations provided evidence regarding the existence and severity of his current disabilities, including moderate injuries to Muscle Groups V and VI.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of shell fragment wound involving the right upper extremity with retained foreign bodies
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2003
- Citation
- 0333780
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 0333780.
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 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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