The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left thigh before July 3, 1997 was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the injury involved Muscle Group XIII and Muscle Group XIV in the same anatomical region affecting the left knee joint.
The deciding factor: The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only involved two muscle groups (severe) and did not result in ankylosis of the knee joint, which would have warranted a 50% rating under the old regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound of the left thigh, left knee joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2012
- Citation
- 1215005
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 1215005.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021, and restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for a shell fragment wound of the left thigh. Other issues were denied or remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three issues: increased rating for shell fragment wound of the left thigh, service connection for a low back disorder, and service connection for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these issues.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected left thigh fragment wound residuals are rated at 10 percent, with a separate rating of 10 percent for muscle damage. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to these ratings based on his service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's severe muscle injury from a shell fragment wound of the left thigh, Muscle Group XVII, is rated at 50 percent.
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