The Veteran seeks a higher combined rating for his service-connected gunshot wound residuals of the right leg and right foot, but the Board has remanded the case to clarify at what level an amputation would fully address these injuries.
The deciding factor: The Court found that the January 2014 VA surgeon's opinion was internally inconsistent and ordered a new examination to explain why a below-the-knee amputation would adequately address the Veteran's gunshot wound residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound residuals of the right leg (muscle groups XI and XII), gunshot wound residuals of the right foot (muscle group X)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2015
- Citation
- 1547187
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 1547187.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted a combined evaluation of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals, with each disability rated at 30 percent. The decision is based on the need for an above-the-knee amputation to address the Veteran’s gunshot wounds.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and supplemental opinion regarding his gunshot wound residuals of the right leg and foot.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- 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.
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