Scars decisions — 2005

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's scalp scar, finding that it did not meet criteria for increased disability ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that his additional low back disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, warranting service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of psychiatric disability, and a right foot lesion was determined to be secondary to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee strain and right thigh scar have been denied as there is no evidence of instability or subluxation warranting an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, headaches, and dizziness. Service connection is established for PTSD and a scar in the right eyebrow as residuals of an eye injury. The claim for residuals of a neck injury is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

The veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities was revised to 90 percent due to CUE in the February 10, 1949 rating decision. The effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is set at December 6, 2002.

The VA has granted an increased disability rating of 10 percent for the veteran's first and second degree burn scars on both lower legs, effective June 2001.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the single 10 percent rating assigned for his overall knee disability is appropriate and a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, neuritis of the left leg, and tender postoperative scar are rated at 20%, 20%, and 10% respectively. The higher initial rating for IVDS is granted from September 19, 1998 to March 23, 2004.

The veteran's May to November 1991 hospitalization did not involve treatment for his service-connected IBS, and he was treated for other conditions during this period. Therefore, the claim is denied as no service-connected disorder required in excess of 21 days of his hospitalization.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected limitation of motion of the left shoulder, effective from December 30, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of a shell fragment wound to the back, and therefore service connection for these scars is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a scar on his right upper extremity, finding that the earliest date entitlement arose was August 18, 2003. The total disability evaluation claim is pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's surgical scar of the left wrist does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it is small, nonpainful, and does not limit motion or function.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected laceration scar of the right hand. The RO has not provided an adequate examination or considered whether separate ratings should be assigned for the scar and any associated neurologic impairment.

The veteran's left leg scar is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for an increased rating for headaches must be denied as the veteran failed to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The veteran's liver cancer and hepatitis C did not arise from service-connected conditions, and the Board denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever and for claimed residuals of exposure to microwave radar emissions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's corneal scar of the left eye warrants a 20 percent rating, as it more closely resembles visual acuity of 20/200.