The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his shell fragment wound to the back and left posterior arm, Muscle Groups IV and XX.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the existing evidence without sufficient articulation of reasons or bases as required by law.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound to the back, shell fragment wound to the left posterior arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0335324
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 0335324.
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: Granted
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a shell fragment wound to the back is granted at 20 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a spine disability other than residuals of the SFW to the back and for an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is also denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claims are mixed, with some issues granted and others denied. The low back disorder is granted on the merits, while other claims remain pending due to lack of new and material evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound disabilities, assigning a 20% rating each for the left arm and back.,Both conditions were rated based on muscle group involvement rather than exposure to specific hazards like burn pits or Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's shell fragment wound residuals and any additional disability in his left shoulder and cervical spine regions.
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.