Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound, right buttock, with fractured ilium and retained foreign body. The claim for an increased evaluation for the small bowel contusion was denied as there is no current evidence of such condition. The laparotomy scar received a noncompensable initial evaluation.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound resulted in multiple retained foreign bodies, palpable muscle involvement from the scar to the iliac crest, and limitation of hip motion. These findings supported an increased evaluation to 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 5317 for a severe injury.

Claimed conditions
residuals of shell fragment wound, right buttock, Muscle Group (MG) XVII
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
September 13, 2006
Citation
0629006

Veterans Law Judge

BARBARA B. COPELAND

Decisions by this judge: 1,515 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0629006.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.

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.