The Veteran's pre-existing residuals of abdominal stab wound with exploratory laparotomy were not aggravated by active service, and any currently diagnosed stab wound residuals are not shown to be otherwise related to a disease, injury, or event in service.
The deciding factor: A VA examiner found that the Veteran's preexisting residuals of abdominal stabbing clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression due to an in-service event, injury, or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle spasms, Residuals of multiple stab wounds and scarring with exploratory laparotomy (abdominal injury)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1642984
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1642984.
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 Veteran's neck disability and upper extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, but the VA determined that none of the conditions warranted a higher rating than what was currently assigned.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms, digestive disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The reasons provided include that the Veteran did not serve in Korea and there were no reported symptoms of these conditions during or prior to his separation from active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and muscle spasms are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate consideration of evidence and duty to assist.
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