The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left groin with fibromyositis and retained foreign body, but granted a separate 10 percent rating on the basis that the disability picture includes manifestations more closely approximating an unstable superficial scar.
The deciding factor: The disability level in Muscle Group XVI was no more than moderate, and there was no evidence of widespread injury or residuals. The most recent examination disclosed a slightly depressed scar, which is considered to be an unstable superficial scar.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound of the left groin, fibromyositis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0835232
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0835232.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased rating claims related to multiple conditions, including herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine, fibromyositis, and various nerve-related issues. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain, to include fibromyalgia, due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the March 2024 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for fibromyositis and lumbar spine, so the case is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia/fibromyositis, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to inadequate VA medical opinions that did not comply with the Board's instructions.
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