The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's conditions warranted a rating higher than those currently assigned under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Seborrheic Dermatitis, Residuals, Shell Fragment Wound, Left (Nondominant) Upper Extremity Above the Elbow, Residuals, Shell Fragment Wound, Left Ankle with Retained Metallic Fragments Affecting Muscle Group X, Residuals, Shell Fragment Wound, Left Ankle with Retained Metallic Fragments Affecting Muscle Group XI, Retained Mortar Fragments and Traumatic Arthritis of the Right Knee Affecting Muscle Group XIV, Retained Mortar Fragments and Traumatic Arthritis of the Right Knee Affecting Muscle Group XII, Retained Mortar Fragments and Traumatic Arthritis of the Right Knee Affecting Muscle Group XV
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1716880
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 1716880.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's skin allergies were found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his symptoms did not result in at least five percent of his entire body or exposed areas being affected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC is granted, effective February 1, 2021. The decision is based on the combination of his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that independently rate at least 60 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and an opinion regarding the relationship between current vision loss and in-service radiofrequency radiation exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp was reduced from a 30 percent rating to zero percent effective December 1, 2020. The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis as it found that there is at least equipoise evidence of improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
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