Scars decisions — 2004

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verifying the appellant's service records and obtaining medical evidence related to his claimed right forehead scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to May 11, 1999.

The Board has determined that a compensable evaluation of 10 percent is warranted for the veteran's service-connected scar on the right thigh, which measures eight centimeters long by one centimeter wide and is painful.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cancer did not have its onset during service or due to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board also reopened the claim for service connection for cervical disc disease with headaches, but denied a higher initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and an initial compensable rating for a residual scar on his right thumb. The right eye disability, defined as corectopia, corneal scarring, a cataract, and a retinal tear, was found to have pre-existed service and did not worsen beyond natural progression during such service.

The Board found that the veteran's incisional hernia was not a result of VA medical care and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a splenectomy, left ankle disability, and PTSD. The claim for reopening the low back condition was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including incomplete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, limitation of motion of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar on the occipital region of the upper neck. The claim for malaria was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches and a right knee disability, are severe enough to prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's scars of the right flank and abdomen, finding that they were aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's appeal is about the rating for a scar as a residual of a left foot injury. The Board has determined that additional medical information and development are needed before this claim can be decided.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected scar left jaw with residual pain secondary to shrapnel wound is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and ensuring compliance with Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right little finger condition, including his post-operative scar, does not warrant a higher disability rating. The current evaluation of 10 percent is maintained.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and review of his medical history.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for his service-connected right eye disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a hand injury was denied by the Board. The case is remanded to obtain additional development and evidence.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication. The appellant's claims include service connection for the cause of death, eligibility for dependents' educational assistance, and accrued benefits based on disability ratings.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to determine the current status of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, and further development is required in order to comply with VA's notification requirements under the VCAA.