The Veteran's left anterior chest and left upper arm disability, rated at 20 percent for a moderate injury to Muscle Group II (minor), is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's muscle strength in all left upper extremity muscle groups was consistently normal throughout the appellate period, despite reported loss of power and intermittent pain. The current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability based on moderate impairment of Muscle Group II.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wounds, muscle injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18100757
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 18100757.
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 claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied. The Veteran does not qualify for DEA benefits prior to his current effective date of March 25, 2019. SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of that same date.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for basic eligibility to DEA benefits is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria at the time of his TDIU award and thus cannot qualify for DEA benefits prior to March 25, 2019.,SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of March 25, 2019.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of a compensable disability rating for residuals, shell fragment wounds, right leg (muscle group XIV), due to incomplete development and failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to June 10, 2021 and greater than 30 percent from June 10, 2021 for the service-connected shell fragment wounds (SFW) to the neck, Muscle Group XXII.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound to the right arm was granted, with a 30% rating being assigned. The previous noncompensable rating has been revised.
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