The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a shrapnel injury with foreign bodies to the left side of the face, left ear, left side of the neck, and rupture of the left eardrum was denied as there was no evidence of functional loss, moderate muscle injury, orthopedic or neurological abnormalities, tender or painful scars, or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any impairment of function resulting from the shrapnel wounds to his left face, left neck, and left ear. There was no evidence of functional loss, moderate muscle injury, orthopedic or neurological abnormalities, tender or painful scars, or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a shrapnel injury with foreign bodies to the left side of the face, left ear, left side of the neck, and rupture of the left eardrum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2009
- Citation
- 0902146
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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