The veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the left buttocks are currently manifested by muscle atrophy, decreased motor power for abduction and adduction, antalgic gait, and slight foot drop. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating under DC 5317 for severe impairment to Muscle Group XVII. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as not proximately due to service-connected shell fragment wound residuals.

The deciding factor: The veteran's left buttock disability more nearly approximates a 'severe' impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating under DC 5317. The Board finds no causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Residuals of shell fragment wound, left lower back (buttocks) with left foot drop, Muscle Group XVII"}, {"condition_name":"Degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine"}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

August 28, 2006

Citation

0627173

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 0627173.