Scars decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his facial nerve palsy and scar, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's post-operative scar of the right groin, effective October 2, 2002.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right lower leg scar and a separate 10 percent evaluation for his graft donor site thigh scar, effective from June 6, 2006.

The Board granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for second and third degree burn scars on the left and right foreleg extensor aspect and dorsum of ankle and foot, effective from June 24, 1994. Separate 20 percent ratings were also assigned for complex regional pain syndrome of the lower extremities due to second and third degree burns.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability and scar were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. Therefore, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder and abdominal scars are not service-connected due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's fracture of the right tibia and fibula, with scarring over the right tibia, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension (reopening of a previously denied claim), right thumb scars, and residuals of inguinal herniorrhaphy. The decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability was not provided.

The veteran's low back disability, eczema, and keloid scars of the left leg are all found to be related to his service-connected right ankle and right foot disabilities. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a fungal infection of the upper torso, and denied his requests for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain all kinds of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vision disability, sleep disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tingling of the left hand. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a current disability or a disease/injury in service that could be linked to these conditions.

The appellant's service does not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for VA pension benefits due to a pre-existing condition that existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected chemical burns of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his scar on the left thumb. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions warranted higher disability evaluations.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his surgical scar of the neck has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, facial scars, and head trauma with headaches and blurred vision.

The Board finds that the appellant did not have headaches, blackouts, or a scar during service or shortly thereafter. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for a residual scar from the removal of an abdominal mass is granted.

The Board denied an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for a residual scar from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating.