Scars decisions — 2001

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's postoperative recurrent pterygium of both eyes, finding that his vision did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to other underlying conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the left foot and a callus on the left great toe, both as residuals of injuries sustained during active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from preparing for, obtaining, or retaining suitable employment in his chosen field of catfish farming.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected second degree burn scars and hypersensitivity, burn scar areas do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from preparing for, obtaining, or retaining suitable employment in his chosen field of catfish farming.

The veteran's service-connected scar of the left side of the chin is granted. The veteran disagrees with the initial noncompensable rating assigned for his service-connected residual scar of the right ankle.

The RO confirmed and continued a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the left hand with scar, dislocation of the thumb. The appellant requested a separate evaluation for a tender and painful scar, but the RO did not provide the necessary rating criteria. The case is being remanded to correct this evidentiary defect.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis with postoperative scars, thoracotomy, and pulmonary fibrosis warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board denied increased evaluations for a laceration scar of the left leg and residuals of a fracture of the right humerus, finding that the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating schedules.

The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating are met due to additional functional limitation during flare-ups and objective findings of limited motion. A higher rating is not warranted based on severe impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The RO will review the claims on the basis of all evidence of record and determine whether separate ratings should be assigned for scars, muscle damage, internal organs, and neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various disabilities, including a bilateral hearing loss disorder, right thigh scar, right leg disability, right ankle disability, back disability, and nervous disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for a bilateral hearing loss disorder.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a left hip shell fragment wound, muscle group XVII are rated at 20 percent. The scars from the left lower leg and abdomen are each rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the issues related to PTSD, tinnitus aurium (right ear), residuals of fracture (left mandible), burn scar (left thigh), laceration scar (right thigh), postoperative residuals (left ulna fracture with ulnar nerve transposition), and burn scars (tender, right and left forearm/hand).

The VA denied the appellant's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his tender and painful scar from left varicocele surgery, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, but denied the other issues. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for a scalp scar is pending.

The Board denied increased ratings for the postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia with a right hydrocele, neuroma as a postoperative residual of service-connected right hernia repair, and a residual surgical scar from service-connected right hernia repair.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected shrapnel wound disabilities of the right and left buttocks, finding that the current evaluations are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that he was unemployable due to nonservice-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions alone prevent him from working.