The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gunshot wound injury to the right shoulder, with involvement of Muscle Group III, was denied as the assignment of a greater than 20 percent rating is prohibited due to the nature of the disability being evaluated.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's initial award of a 30 percent rating under DC 5303 for over 20 years has been protected. The current claim seeks an increase beyond this protected rating, which is not allowed as Muscle Group III alone does not warrant a higher than 20 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Gunshot wound injury to the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1304973
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 1304973.
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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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
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- 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.
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