Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound residuals to the left arm was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective May 7, 2002. His claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for nerve damage and RSD of the left hand was also granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective August 19, 2004.

The deciding factor: The VA examination reports supported the current evaluations based on the veteran's symptoms and physical findings.

Claimed conditions
Nerve damage and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the left hand, Residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm (minor upper extremity)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
February 2, 2006
Citation
0603041

Veterans Law Judge

Keith W. Allen

Decisions by this judge: 2,669 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0603041.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.