The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by a shrapnel wound and scar, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating during this time frame.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show more than moderate impairment of the dominant muscles, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5302.
- Claimed conditions
- shrapnel wound of the right shoulder, scar (right shoulder disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1617178
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 1617178.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right shoulder disability prior to February 9, 2013, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating at any time.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of multi-infarct dementia or other neurological disabilities associated with the shrapnel wounds, thus not meeting criteria for higher ratings under DCs 9304-8045. For the right shoulder, a noncompensable rating was assigned as there is no evidence of muscle disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, manifested by limitation of motion equivalent to 25 degrees from the side, is now rated at 40 percent disabling.
- Denied
The Board found that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not result in his inability to care for any of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others, nor do they result in an inability to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
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