Scars decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right eye vision impairment and bilateral shoulder bursitis, require regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder scar and service connection for both right knee injury residuals and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the veteran did not have a right knee disorder or a current hearing loss disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected low back disability on his ability to use lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination to assess the nature of the veteran's scars and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of any in-service injury as claimed by the veteran and does not attribute any current disorders to service. Therefore, service connection for all claimed conditions is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left temple scar, which measures 1/8th of an inch in width and 7/8th of an inch in length, is stable, asymptomatic, and no more than slightly disfiguring. The disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology and onset of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the veteran's right shoulder, which was incurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issue regarding degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is pending as it remains unclear whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected headache disorder was denied. The claim seeking an increased rating for facial scars residuals of a head injury is remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's service-connected malaria is not rated as compensable, and his left hip graft donor site scar and left ankle shell fragment wound scars are also not rated as compensable.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and as a result, the case has been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it is well-healed and does not cause any functional impairment.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the tracheostomy scar of the neck, finding that it meets two out of eight characteristics of disfigurement. The right ear hearing loss remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied an increased rating for a laceration scar on the right knee over the patella and service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected laceration of the forehead with residual scar does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The VA has also determined that the veteran's residuals of an injury to the forehead, with recurrent headaches, do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The veteran's service-connected scar from a left thumb injury remains at 10 percent. His TDIU claim was denied as his disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.