Scars decisions — 2005

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's scar, axilla to axilla, left. The current evaluation is 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is 70% and he has been deemed capable of employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired low back disability, higher initial ratings for bilateral inguinal hernia and nasal obstruction with related chronic sinusitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar of the right great toe does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's increased ratings for appendectomy scar and migraine headaches have been granted, with the migraine headaches receiving a 50% rating.

The Board found that the RO's decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, but also noted that the veteran's claims for increased ratings remain pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the effective date being determined by the RO.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for TDIU as his unemployability is primarily due to rheumatoid arthritis, a non-service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's service-connected scar on the sole of his left foot, effective as of the date of the decision.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar, residual gynecomastia of the right breast, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his gunshot wound with fracture of the second metacarpal and a residual scar from a gunshot wound to the left thigh, finding that there is no evidence of more than slight muscle damage.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a head injury, and scar of the scalp. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer, which resulted in a scar on his right cheek, was incurred during service due to exposure to sunlight. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's appendectomy scar does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it is tender but not deep or unstable enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there was no prior informal or formal claim filed before March 12, 1998. The evidence did not show that the veteran had been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting further examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied. The RO granted a 30% rating for residuals of a fracture of the right radius and ulna, but denied her requests for higher ratings for scars of the upper lip and forehead and left foot disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The second-degree burn scars on both hands are not compensable, while the acne vulgaris with multiple sebaceous cysts warranted a 30 percent rating prior to August 30, 2002, and a 50 percent rating from that date onwards.

The veteran's right thigh scars were rated as non-tender and without limitation of motion prior to April 2004, warranting a noncompensable rating.,Subsequent to April 2004, the scar over the hip was tender but did not limit function or motion.