The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left posterior chest, left abdomen, and face/neck area warrant increased ratings. The veteran's chest scar is rated at 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 6843, while his abdominal scar is rated at 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7805. His face and neck scars are rated at 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7800.
The deciding factor: The veteran's chest scar was found to meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its depth, while his abdominal scar met the criteria for a higher rating due to its size. The face and neck scars were found to warrant a separate rating as they are not superficial or poorly nourished.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left abdomen, Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left posterior chest, Residuals of fragment wound scars of the left face and neck area
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 10, 2006
- Citation
- 0620018
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,458 · Granted: 24% (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 0620018.
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
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