Scars decisions — 2005

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected scar of the left posterior neck from lymph node biopsy warranted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of May 16, 2000. The claim for an increased disability rating was denied.

The veteran's service-connected keloid scar of the chest is rated at 30 percent, which corresponds to moderately severe limitation of function in elevating and abducting the arms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ruptures of the Achilles tendons and associated scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and a scar on his right thigh did not render him unemployable prior to May 29, 1998. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The veteran was paid the proper amount of VA benefits while incarcerated, and the appeal for payments in excess of those already received is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for scars resulting from a bicycle accident in June 1992, which he claims was caused by his service-connected right knee disability. The VA has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the right knee disability and the 1992 accident.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected burn scars is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his ankle scar was denied. The effective date of the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for ankle scar was set at May 15, 2003.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for numbness in the fingertips of the left hand since January 8, 2002. The veteran's condition prior to this date was rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected cervical myelopathy does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation due to his remaining effective function in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his hypertensive and cardiovascular disease was not related to a service-connected disability or an incident of service origin.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his scar on the lower back is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and lack of consideration of relevant medical history.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left little finger osteoarthritis and scar residuals do not warrant a compensable or increased rating, respectively.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left eye disability and service connection for PTSD. The decision is pending further action by the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including those related to a back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and scars.

The Board has found that the veteran does not currently have any medically confirmed facial or right hand scar disorders attributable to his military service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent rating, but no more, is warranted for the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right lower extremity, including injury to the posterior tibial nerve. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent is also granted for residual scarring of the right anterior shin from a shell fragment wound to the right lower extremity.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The veteran will also be provided an opportunity to respond.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar on the left patella, lower thigh area is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and review of his claims file.

The Board found that the veteran's traumatic scar of the left buttock warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as it is not deep or cause limited motion and does not exceed 12 square inches (77 square centimeters).