Scars decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a valid claim to an earlier effective date due to his renouncement of compensation benefits in 1980, and that he was entitled to the current 10 percent evaluations based on the symptoms reported.

The Board has determined that the veteran's submission of a VA Form 9 to the Board in September 1999 constituted a timely substantive appeal as to his claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The issues regarding cervical spine, thoracotomy with excision of tuberculoma right lung, and tender scar are still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his laceration scar on the left side of his face, currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorders, including basal cell epithelioma and scar formation, were not incurred in service due to mustard gas exposure. The medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and determined a noncompensable initial rating for atrophy of the right testicle with groin pain. The veteran's postoperative scars, residuals of bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies due to fibroadenoma, are rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residual scarring from a knife wound to the left upper back does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and facial scars as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions in conformity with DSM-IV, and no confirmed findings or diagnoses related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's burn scars of both legs, finding that the current 20 percent ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals concerning service connection for tinnitus, residuals of arthroplasty of the right and left fifth toes, hypertension, a scar of the abdomen, as his response to the statement of the case did not allege any error in fact or law.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found that the veteran had not provided good cause for missing these exams.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of excision of left great toenail and scar of left middle finger do not warrant higher initial disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of left hip injury to the hip/buttocks area with scarring in the same area, finding that there was no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected scars of the abdomen, right arm, and left arm. The RO continued his existing 10% rating for the abdominal scar but assigned separate 10% ratings for the scars on the right and left arms.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the April 1977 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable evaluation for service-connected scars of the chin and upper lip. The veteran's claim is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's scar of the left eyebrow, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on pain or disfigurement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for anesthesia of the left lower radicular group and scars, gunshot wound of the neck are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied increased evaluations for anesthesia of the left lower radicular group and scars, gunshot wound of the neck.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities within one year post-service or any link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and increased ratings for scars of the mid-abdomen and right flank, both rated at 10 percent.