Scars decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for facial scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or revised VA rating criteria.

The veteran's skin disorder is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating for any of the issues addressed.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's scar of the left leg, finding that it is tender and painful.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's laceration scar on the left upper arm, as there is no evidence of additional disability that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected lacerated wound scar on the left thigh is now rated at 30 percent, reflecting moderately severe muscle disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's laceration scars on his forehead, left upper eyelid and left temporal region, finding that these scars meet the criteria for such a rating under the schedular criteria in effect prior to August 30, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a higher rate of special monthly compensation, finding that his service-connected conditions do not warrant such increases.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of a scar, status-post excision of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans was granted. The effective date is set at November 23, 1999.

The veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine condition. His right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and the scars on his neck and scalp are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of sinusitis and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The combined rating is 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of scarlet fever, a heart disorder secondary to scarlet fever, and abdominal pain due to lack of medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected scars of the right leg do not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of zero percent, as they are well-healed and do not affect the function of the right leg.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The enucleation of the left eye and shell fragment wound scar on the left arm both remain at their current assigned disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for spleen removal with history of pneumonia and scar was denied, as there is no evidence of systemic infection. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the combined disability rating not meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's service-connected chloracne with residual scarring is manifested by deep pitting scars on his face, and the Board has determined that the schedular criteria for an evaluation of 30 percent have been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a surgical chest scar, an eye disability, hypertension, and hearing loss. The evidence did not show current manifestations of these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's scar, residuals of shell fragment wound, right middle finger, with phalangeal deformity does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent disability evaluation.