The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left leg GSW, left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability), and left ankle degenerative joint disease (left ankle disability) has been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent for the left leg GSW.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left leg GSW resulted in severe impairment, but his disability picture more nearly approximated the criteria required for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5312 and 5311. The Board found that he was already rated at the maximum benefit under those codes.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound (GSW) of the left leg, left tibia with healed compound, comminuted fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1828639
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 1828639.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gunshot wound, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: a claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left leg, a request for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability, and a dispute over the effective date for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The case is being remanded due to incomplete development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service medical records and other pertinent evidence, including from the appellant's military unit in Vietnam. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders are also being remanded.
- Whole decision: 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.
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