The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a shell fragment wound to the back is granted at 20 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a spine disability other than residuals of the SFW to the back and for an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's residuals from his shell fragment wound to the back were found to be moderate in severity, warranting a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5320. The other service connection claims were not supported by evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound to the back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2026
- Citation
- A26028717
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 A26028717.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims are mixed, with some issues granted and others denied. The low back disorder is granted on the merits, while other claims remain pending due to lack of new and material evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound disabilities, assigning a 20% rating each for the left arm and back.,Both conditions were rated based on muscle group involvement rather than exposure to specific hazards like burn pits or Agent Orange.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's shell fragment wound residuals and any additional disability in his left shoulder and cervical spine regions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notification of VCAA requirements and for further development.
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