The Veteran's disability, characterized by shell fragment wounds and degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, was rated at 10 percent prior to July 9, 2019. The claim remains on appeal as higher ratings are available.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes due to limited range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wounds, degenerative changes of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20051172
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 20051172.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate range of motion assessments in previous examinations.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for major depressive disorder.
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