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 assigned

40%

Decision date

September 13, 2006

Citation

0629006

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 0629006.