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Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a shrapnel wound to the right calf and an increased rating for residuals of a right thumb abscess. The veteran was not granted service connection for the shrapnel wound, as there is no evidence that he engaged in combat with enemy forces during his military service.

The deciding factor: The veteran did not engage in combat against enemy forces during his military service, which precludes application of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b).

Claimed conditions
shrapnel wound of the right calf
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
July 8, 2008
Citation
0822868

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 0822868.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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