The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for his left leg shrapnel wound, including the muscle group XI injury with a retained foreign body. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not establish that the condition arose before February 9, 2017.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for the increased rating of his service-connected left leg shrapnel wound scar. The Board denied this claim as well.
The deciding factor: The effective dates were denied because the evidence did not establish that the condition arose before February 9, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- shrapnel wound left leg
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21075616
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 21075616.
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 a higher disability rating for residuals, shrapnel wound left leg with damage to muscle group XII was denied. The Veteran also received an initial 10 percent disability rating for residual scars associated with the same condition as of October 1, 2019.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee DJD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee DJD, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DCs 5260-5262. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, and he has met the schedular requirements since October 2011. However, there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities have precluded him from gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
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