The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shell fragment wounds of the left forearm, left thigh, and fifth metatarsal were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations without evidence of debridement or infection, short track wounds, or other complications that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5301 through 5323.
- Claimed conditions
- Shell fragment wound of the left forearm, Shell fragment wound of the left thigh, Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the fifth left metatarsal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0519426
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 0519426.
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 the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, shell fragment wound of the left forearm, and coronary artery disease, as well as his claim for TDIU due to failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in its July 2022 decision. The issues have been remanded for further development including obtaining private treatment records from UVA Stuarts Draft Family Practice and employment records from the Virginia Department of Corrections.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arthritis of the lower back, neuropathy of the left peroneal nerve, and a shell fragment wound of the left thigh, require him to have regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total schedular evaluation for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional development of his vocational rehabilitation and Social Security Administration records.
- 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.
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.