The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the right shoulder, involving Muscle Groups II, III, and IV, is rated at 40 percent. The Board found that separate ratings for each muscle group are warranted due to a through-and-through injury with muscle damage.
The deciding factor: The combined evaluation of Muscle Groups acting upon a single unankylosed joint (the right shoulder) must be lower than the evaluation for unfavorable ankylosis of that joint, except in the case of Muscle Groups I and II acting upon the shoulder. The Veteran's injuries to Muscle Groups II, III, and IV resulted in a combined rating of 40 percent, which is lower than the 50 percent rating for unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ulnar neuropathy, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Gunshot wound of the right shoulder with involvement of Muscle Groups II, III, and IV
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2011
- Citation
- 1145790
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 1145790.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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