Understanding VA Ratings for Shrapnel Wounds

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You may be eligible for VA benefits if you’ve served in the military and have experienced shrapnel wounds. The VA rating system determines the extent of these injuries and how much compensation should be provided. 

In this article, we’ll explain how the VA rates shrapnel wounds so that you can better understand your situation and the options available to you. 

What Is a Shrapnel Wound?

A shrapnel wound is a type of traumatic injury experienced by veterans that occurs when an explosive device, such as an artillery shell, sends fragments and pieces of metal flying through the air. 

The shrapnel penetrates soft tissue and may even cause damage to organs or bones. These types of wounds can be fatal, depending on the location and severity of the injury. 

Treatment for shrapnel wounds often involves surgery and antibiotics to remove debris from inside the body and prevent infection. Veterans need to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure proper treatment and reduce the risk of long-term complications from a shrapnel wound.

Different Types of Shrapnel Injuries 

Shrapnel injuries can be classified according to their type and severity. Common types of shrapnel injuries include: 

• Wounds to the skin (such as lacerations, penetration injuries, and blast injuries) 
• Penetrating wounds (caused by tiny pieces of metal that enter the body at high speeds and can cause significant damage)
• Blast injuries (most commonly occur from an explosive device and can affect the entire body, including the lungs, intestines, arteries, veins, bones, and muscles)

Depending on the severity of the shrapnel injury and associated disability rating, veterans may be eligible for compensation or other benefits.

Does Shrapnel Travel in the Body?

Shrapnel can travel throughout the body depending on the severity of the injury. Shrapnel may be embedded in muscles and organs, or it may travel through the veins and arteries. 

In some cases, shrapnel can embed itself into the brain leading to traumatic brain injuries. Veterans who have suffered from penetrating wounds due to shrapnel are often eligible for benefits and compensation related to pain and suffering, loss of use of certain body parts, and disabilities caused by the injury.

VA Benefits for Shrapnel Wounds

Veterans who suffer from shrapnel wounds may qualify for VA disability benefits. VA disability compensation is intended to provide financial and medical assistance to veterans with physical, mental, or emotional impairments that resulted directly from their service. 

To qualify for these benefits, veterans must file a claim for VA disability compensation, prove that their injuries resulted from their time in the military, and meet certain eligibility criteria set forth by the VA. 

How to Qualify for VA Disability Benefits

Veterans who qualify for VA disability benefits must be able to provide evidence that their injuries or impairments are caused or made worse by their military service. It includes providing medical documentation of the injury, a diagnosis, a medical nexus letter or Independent Medical Opinion (IMO), and proof of any physical or psychological limitations. 

Additionally, a claimant must provide a complete service record and discharge papers to verify active duty status and medical records of any treatment received. Depending on the severity and extent of the injury and associated impairments, veterans can be awarded anywhere from 0-100% disability compensation. 

How Does the VA Rate Shrapnel Wounds?

The VA rates shrapnel injuries according to their severity and the amount of disability they cause. 

Generally speaking, the more severe a shrapnel injury is, the higher the rating and associated compensation benefits veterans may receive. For example, a veteran who has suffered from shrapnel penetration wounds that led to traumatic brain injury or disfigurement would likely be eligible for a higher disability rating. 

VA Rating for Shrapnel Wounds

The VA assigns disability ratings for shrapnel wounds utilizing the Evaluation of Muscle Disabilities, which details the primary signs and symptoms of muscle disabilities considered for VA rating requirements. These include loss of power, weakness, lowered threshold of fatigue, fatigue pain, impairment of coordination, and uncertainty in movement. Additionally, under diagnostic codes 5301 through 5323, disabilities resulting from muscle injuries shall be classified as slight, moderate, moderately severe or severe as follows:

• A slight wound does not need debridement or infection control. It can be documented with quick treatment and a minor scar, providing no evidence of muscle tissue atrophy or metallic fragments being retained and leaving no impairment on functionality.
• The moderate classification of wounds is for those sustained from a single bullet, small shell, or shrapnel fragment without any explosive effect. These moderate-level injuries may require debridement and involve some loss of muscle substance and retained foreign bodies that can cause prolonged infection and create functional impairment. The presence of entrance and (if applicable) exit scars indicate this type of wound severity level, in addition to the patient’s consistent complaint involving one or more cardinal signs.
• Moderately severe: intense or penetrating sound accompanied by debridement and prolonged infection; hospitalization necessary to address the wound adequately; a repeated indication of hallmark symptoms, including entrance and (where applicable) exit wounds through one or multiple muscle groups; incapability to meet job duties due to strength and endurance detriments.
• A severe wound caused by a high-velocity missile which resulted in shattering bone fractures and open comminuted fracture with extensive debridement was the impetus for prolonged hospitalization due to infection. The cardinal signs were consistently reported, resulting in an inability to perform work requirements. Scars indicating wide damage to muscle groups and loss of muscle mass led to muscles becoming swollen and hardened abnormally – ultimately causing a significant decrease in strength, endurance, or coordinated movements.

Additionally, the Code of Federal Regulations defines the distinction in the eCFR as follows:

“Slight disability of muscles –

(i) Type of injury. Simple wound of muscle without debridement or infection.

(ii) History and complaint. Service department record of superficial wound with brief treatment and return to duty. Healing with good functional results. No cardinal signs or symptoms of muscle disability as defined in paragraph (c) of this section.

(iii) Objective findings. Minimal scar. No evidence of fascial defect, atrophy, or impaired tonus. No impairment of function or metallic fragments retained in muscle tissue.

Moderate disability of muscles –

(i) Type of injury. Through and through or deep penetrating wound of short track from a single bullet, small shell or shrapnel fragment, without explosive effect of high velocity missile, residuals of debridement, or prolonged infection.

(ii) History and complaint. Service department record or other evidence of in-service treatment for the wound. Record of consistent complaint of one or more of the cardinal signs and symptoms of muscle disability as defined in paragraph (c) of this section, particularly lowered threshold of fatigue after average use, affecting the particular functions controlled by the injured muscles.

(iii) Objective findings. Entrance and (if present) exit scars, small or linear, indicating short track of missile through muscle tissue. Some loss of deep fascia or muscle substance or impairment of muscle tonus and loss of power or lowered threshold of fatigue when compared to the sound side.

Moderately severe disability of muscles –

(i) Type of injury. Through and through or deep penetrating wound by small high velocity missile or large low-velocity missile, with debridement, prolonged infection, or sloughing of soft parts, and intermuscular scarring.

(ii) History and complaint. Service department record or other evidence showing hospitalization for a prolonged period for treatment of wound. Record of consistent complaint of cardinal signs and symptoms of muscle disability as defined in paragraph (c) of this section and, if present, evidence of inability to keep up with work requirements.

(iii) Objective findings. Entrance and (if present) exit scars indicating track of missile through one or more muscle groups. Indications on palpation of loss of deep fascia, muscle substance, or normal firm resistance of muscles compared with sound side. Tests of strength and endurance compared with sound side demonstrate positive evidence of impairment.

Severe disability of muscles –

(i) Type of injury. Through and through or deep penetrating wound due to high-velocity missile, or large or multiple low-velocity missiles, or with shattering bone fracture or open comminuted fracture with extensive debridement, prolonged infection, or sloughing of soft parts, intermuscular binding and scarring.

(ii) History and complaint. Service department record or other evidence showing hospitalization for a prolonged period for treatment of wound. Record of consistent complaint of cardinal signs and symptoms of muscle disability as defined in paragraph (c) of this section, worse than those shown for moderately severe muscle injuries, and, if present, evidence of inability to keep up with work requirements.

(iii) Objective findings. Ragged, depressed, and adherent scars indicating wide damage to muscle groups in missile track. Palpation shows loss of deep fascia or muscle substance, or soft flabby muscles in wound area. Muscles swell and harden abnormally in contraction. Tests of strength, endurance, or coordinated movements compared with the corresponding muscles of the uninjured side indicate severe impairment of function. If present, the following are also signs of severe muscle disability:

(A) X-ray evidence of minute multiple scattered foreign bodies indicating intermuscular trauma and explosive effect of the missile.

(B) Adhesion of scar to one of the long bones, scapula, pelvic bones, sacrum, or vertebrae, with epithelial sealing over the bone rather than true skin covering in an area where bone is normally protected by muscle.

(C) Diminished muscle excitability to pulsed electrical current in electrodiagnostic tests.

(D) Visible or measurable atrophy.

(E) Adaptive contraction of an opposing group of muscles.

(F) Atrophy of muscle groups not in the track of the missile, particularly of the trapezius and serratus in wounds of the shoulder girdle.

(G) Induration or atrophy of an entire muscle following simple piercing by a projectile.”

SOURCE: www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4

Service Connection for Shrapnel Wounds

Service connection for shrapnel wounds can be established in injuries incurred during or directly related to an individual’s military service. 

It can include evidence of direct or indirect causation, such as where the claimant was within a certain proximity to an explosion or battle site. The VA will also consider factors like the depth of the wound, any scarring present, evidence of retained metal fragments in muscle tissue, and any functional impairment. 

Getting Help With Your VA Claim

At VA Claims Insider, we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know, including how to file your VA claims. We hope this guide has been helpful. Remember, if you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us for support.

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