Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.