Scars decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran knowingly submitted false representations in his claim for VA benefits, leading to forfeiture of his rights and claims. The decision denied the forfeiture action.

The Board found that the veteran's current arrhythmias and premature ventricular contractions are related to his service-connected PTSD, specifically due to myocarditis caused by scarlet fever during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right cornea scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines, and thus denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The RO denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted the veteran increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist fracture, left leg muscle injury due to gunshot wound, and left leg gunshot wound scar. The nasal septum deviation is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected scar and status post inguinal herniorrhaphy have been rated, but the current ratings are not higher than what is allowed under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and right index finger scar residual. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for the scar was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his renal cyst, hemorrhoids, and scars. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and tooth loss, finding no evidence of such disabilities being incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has requested an independent medical expert (IME) opinion and the veteran submitted additional argument and evidence. The case is being remanded to the RO for further review of the issues on appeal, including all evidence submitted since the February 2005 supplemental statements of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, including chronic lumbar strain and lumbar disc protrusion, was incurred in service.,The Board also found that the scars of the left shoulder were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for an operculated (retinal) tear of the eye and a left eye scar were denied as there is no objective medical evidence to support these conditions.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for his chin scar was granted, with a 10% evaluation effective October 24, 1994. The other service connection claims were not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent evaluation for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's scars of the left tibia, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and other service-connected conditions. The case will be returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, prostate cancer, and scars, all claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The right leg disorder claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a line of duty determination and an examination to determine if the veteran's head injury is service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected right middle and ring finger disabilities are rated at 10% each, resulting in a combined rating of 20%. The VA determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for TDIU due to their impact on his employment.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected old scarring, right hemithorax, secondary to pneumonia was denied by the RO.