Scars decisions — 2005

The veteran's osteochondroma of the left hip is currently rated at 40 percent, and his scar of the left buttock was initially granted a noncompensable rating but remains noncompensable as of June 28, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating and entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected corneal scar of the right eye. The RO increased the rating to 20% effective March 8, 2001.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for burn scars on the back and neck, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 40%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disability alone does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the lower extremities and reopened a claim for service connection for a choroidal scar in the right eye, but found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar of the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it is a very small and asymptomatic superficial scar.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a fungus infection of the feet and an increased rating for his gunshot wound scar of the left shoulder. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 10 percent rating for the gunshot wound scar.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of tinnitus. For PTSD, the Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a higher evaluation, as all adverse symptomatology noted on examination was caused by non-service connected Alzheimer's disease. The veteran's right ankle disability remains at 40 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an increased disability rating for his service-connected skin disabilities, as they do not meet the criteria under either the old or new VA rating schedules.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected scars, finding that neither version of the rating criteria is more beneficial to him and that the preponderance of the evidence is against each claim.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding the compensable rating for service-connected scar left knee, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left eyelid shrapnel wound scar was received on February 10, 2003. The RO granted a 10 percent rating effective from that date based on findings from the April 2003 examination. There is no medical evidence showing the condition was disabling prior to this date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left foot scar disability and whether it involves any neurological symptoms. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which have resulted in a need for personal assistance from others.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a disorder of the neck and spine, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his service-connected jaw disability.

The veteran's second degree burn scars from the right upper extremity and right chest are rated at a combined 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that ratings in excess of a separate 10 percent rating for the right shoulder and upper extremity and for the right chest (for a combined 20 percent rating) are not warranted under either the old or new rating criteria.,The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and reflux were not incurred in service, nor is it proximately due to his service-connected second degree burn scars. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome with reflux related to service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's right shoulder scar and benign tumor of the right eye to service, including any potential radiation exposure. The conditions are not considered presumptive or radiogenic diseases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer and initial compensable ratings for scars residuals of the chest and left arm. The evidence did not show current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.