Scars decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and internal scarring are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, including those from Kaiser Permanente, Charleston Weapons Station Clinic, and Charleston Naval Hospital. A VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between her current conditions and her service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his employability status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have an employment handicap prior to September 5, 2003 and therefore does not meet the criteria for retroactive entitlement to Vocational Rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, or the medication used to treat these disabilities, caused or contributed to his death from vascular thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scars do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's shell fragment wound scars to the right knee have not met the criteria for a compensable rating since August 30, 2002.

The VA determined that the veteran's facial scars secondary to acne vulgaris warranted a 30 percent rating, effective from June 24, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions and assigned initial compensable ratings, with the exception of irritable bowel syndrome which remains noncompensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the back and left leg, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The veteran's left index finger scar has been manifested by no more than subjective complaints of minor numbness, and is well-healed and healthy appearing. The Board finds that a compensable rating for the condition is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches, a chronic back disorder, acne vulgaris (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange), scars (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange), asthma, and a 'gland problem' (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange). The RO denied service connection for these conditions in March 1982.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for prostate cancer, impotence, and a scar of the forehead was denied. The veteran is currently rated at noncompensable levels for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition and right index finger scar in April 1988. The claims of reopening the skin disorder claim are reopened, but the new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected third-degree burn scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including injury to Muscle Groups XIV and XVII, right lower extremity with fracture of the femur and impairment of hip and femur motion with degenerative knee and hip changes, scars, and insomnia, are rated at a maximum of 60 percent. The case is granted as his TDIU claim is also met due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his keloid chest scar was denied because he failed to report for the scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in connection with his service-connected left foot and left leg disorders.

The veteran's PTSD is not productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% evaluation.,The veteran's left hand scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various scars and tender scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for orthopedic residuals of a left shoulder injury and increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected scars. The veteran is not entitled to additional compensation based on his service-connected abrasions.