Scars decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for his service-connected scar of the right calf, finding that it did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left shoulder and elbow disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and readjudication of his increased evaluation claims.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal. As a result, no further action by the Board is appropriate.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected appendectomy and ileocecal resection scar of the right lower quadrant, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either set of rating criteria.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected scar contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause death, aided or lent assistance to the production of death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic bibasilar bronchitis, atelectasis with scarring of right lung and asbestosis was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted based on the facts in this case.

The veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, was not caused by VA medical treatment. The service-connected disabilities did not contribute to the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that October 14, 1975 was the correct date of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his scar and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome are pending.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and right leg disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total rating for compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus, the claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease with coronary artery disease, and a tender and painful scar. The Board found no persuasive medical nexus evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (rated at 40%), hysterectomy (30%), history of avulsion fracture with fibromyalgia (20%), duodenal ulcer (10%), and residual scars from neck skin tag removal (noncompensable), result in a combined rating of 70%. The veteran is granted TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities, which preclude her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disorder, including instability, degenerative arthritis and scars.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence linking his current disorders to service or any other basis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for a left trapezius muscle scar, service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches as secondary to his residuals of a left shoulder injury.

The Board found that the veteran's compensation benefits were properly reduced to a 10 percent rate due to his incarceration, as he was incarcerated for felony convictions before October 7, 1980.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for a service-connected burn scar of the left arm, finding that the veteran's scar did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for entitlement to a compensable rating for the residuals of a gunshot wound of the left neck due to his withdrawal of that issue. The claim for a compensable rating for the gunshot wound scar of the right index finger was also dismissed.