The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and pleural cavity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no objective evidence of marked interference with employment beyond what was contemplated by the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, and the FEV-1/FVC ratio and DLCO (SB) were essentially normal, indicating that the veteran's remaining lung tissues were healthy and functioning normally.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder (Muscle Group II)"}, {"condition_name":"Residuals of a gunshot wound of the right pleural cavity"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 7, 2006
- Citation
- 0603483
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
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