The Board denied entitlement to compensable ratings for service-connected multiple fragment wounds of the right arm and abdomen, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show any functional impairment or disabling effects.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scars were found to be noncompensable as they do not result in limitation of function, are not deep and nonlinear, and do not cover an area greater than 144 square inches. The Veteran's lay assertions of pain and instability were not supported by the medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple fragment wounds of the right arm, Multiple fragment wounds of the abdomen
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20007661
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
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