Scars decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's laceration scar over the left eye does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The VA determined that the veteran's scars of the bridge of the nose and below the chin do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they are asymptomatic. The claim to reopen service connection for residuals of dental trauma was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected burn scars on both hands, finding that the evidence did not support a schedular rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lipomas of the left arm and leg, as well as residuals of head injury other than scars of the right forehead. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur additional disability involving scarring on the right side of the throat, sexual dysfunction and/or a hernia due to VA medical treatment in October and November 1997.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic post-traumatic headaches and varicocelectomy scar were both denied. The VA found that the veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his varicocelectomy scar was not painful or tender.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ring finger on the minor side with a healed fracture and residual scar warrants a 10 percent disability rating for both periods preceding and following March 25, 2000.

The veteran's appendectomy scar is manifested by subjective complaints of disabling hypersensitivity, but it is well-healed and healthy appearing, and does not produce any impairment of function. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the appendectomy scar is not warranted.

The veteran's appeal was terminated due to his death, and the claim is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were granted, with the left ankle area disability receiving a 10 percent evaluation and the other left leg disabilities receiving separate 10 percent evaluations.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease on and after April 10, 1998. The claimant's scar of the left eyebrow was assigned a non-compensable evaluation, while his contusion of the back is currently manifested by no significantly disabling residuals.

The veteran's claim for restoration of a 10 percent disability evaluation for scars to the right upper arm was granted, effective from November 1, 1982.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of gunshot wound injuries, scars, low back strain, and mycotic fungus of the feet were denied. The conditions are considered to be service-connected directly without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cesarean section scar, finding that the condition existed prior to service and did not undergo any increase in severity during active duty.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue regarding an increase in a 10 percent rating for residuals of a right eye injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant due to lack of statutory eligibility, as he is not statutorily eligible for these benefits.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from engaging in some form of substantially gainful employment.