The Veteran's abdominal injury, including a shell fragment wound and exploratory laparotomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examiner found no evidence of service connection via the PACT Act or other presumptive conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not find any evidence supporting a service connection theory based on a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound to the abdomen, abdominal wound
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2013
- Citation
- 1308848
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1308848.
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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Kaposi's sarcoma and an increased rating for his shell fragment wound to the abdomen. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted an effective date of December 10, 1999.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further action due to insufficient medical examination and VCAA notification issues.
- Whole decision: Denied
The March 7, 1969 rating decision establishing service connection for a shell fragment wound to the abdomen and assigning a zero percent rating is not considered clear and unmistakable error.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of new rating criteria and provision of VCAA notice.
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