Scars decisions — 2002

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right leg scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support the requested evaluations or connections.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased evaluation for his burn scars, residuals of traumatic injuries to the mouth and jaw with loss of teeth, and skin disease on a direct basis or as a result of exposure to ionizing and/or non-ionizing radiation.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right thumb scar, finding that there was no evidence of poorly nourished with repeated ulceration or both tender and painful on objective demonstration.

The veteran's initial ratings for residuals of a shell fragment wound, varicose veins, and tender scars have been granted. The rating for the injury to the right common peroneal nerve remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a scar of the right foot is denied. The maximum available evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804 (tender and painful superficial scars) has been granted, but no higher rating can be assigned.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to a denial of his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal is granted, and he is awarded a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected postoperative residuals of fracture, left distal tibia and fibula, with posterior tibial and common peroneal nerve damage. The other issues are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his residuals of a right hand injury do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected keloid scars, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and posttraumatic ligament injury to the right wrist do not warrant an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left thigh muscle loss, with hypo- and hyperesthesia, warrants a 10 percent rating. The scar on the left thigh is rated separately at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip on a secondary basis and an increased rating for his scar and laceration of the right thigh muscle.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and evaluations for his service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by limited motion and a postoperative scar, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent rating.

The VA has granted service connection for the veteran's disabilities and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the mid chest with retained foreign bodies. The other issues have been denied.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for partial right facial nerve paralysis and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the veteran's facial scar, finding that both conditions were due to the natural progress of his surgery.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right hand scar was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left elbow, back, and right leg disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions prevent the use of regular rating criteria.

Service connection has been granted for recurrent cysts with residual scarring. A 10% initial rating is assigned for the veteran's facial scars, effective September 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a head injury with headaches and scars, as well as his claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.