Scars decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability, tinnitus, residuals of a virus of unknown origin, or a scar on the stomach. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities require the daily personal health care services of a skilled provider without which he would need institutional care, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The lumbar spine disorder, facial scar, and right arm scar claims were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support higher disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs to consider new information provided by the appellant's representative.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left eye disorder and headaches.,The veteran's left eye disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, while his headaches are rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's burn scars, left ear hearing loss, and residuals of right ear infections are all found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded this case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder. The RO will also consider whether separate ratings can be assigned based on different periods of time.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for specialized examinations to assess the severity of his gunshot wound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for multiple scars, finding no new and material evidence to support it.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist scar does not warrant a compensable disability rating under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule criteria. The veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for his right shoulder impingement syndrome with resection of the distal clavicle remains denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his left knee condition due to inadequate development of evidence. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the veteran's breast reduction surgical scars, effective from April 1997.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 23, 1996 for a scar extending from the umbilicus laterally to the right costal margin was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year of the filing of his claim.,The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 23, 1996 based on the VA examiner's opinion that the condition was due to his kidney problems.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The residuals of a laceration of the left index finger, scar of the left leg, and pes planus were not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a rating of 50 percent, and his scar was granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and consideration of a claim of CUE. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his non-service connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such benefits.