Scars decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to remaining function in his left hand, which is better than if he had an amputation stump with a prosthesis.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a scar associated with the post-operative ventral hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating under either the old or new criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, finding that the veteran's in-service treatment for burns could have caused his current hearing loss. The compensable evaluations for scars of the right arm and hand and right leg were denied.

The Board found that the October 1963 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in assigning a 10 percent disability rating for facial scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations in various issues related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disorder, including amblyopia lazy eye with exotropia and poor vision, was present prior to service and not aggravated by service. The corneal scars on both eyes did not cause any loss of vision and are not related to service. The macular scar in the left eye is also not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the August 1954 rating decision regarding a 10 percent rating from April 16, 1954 to July 21, 1954 for service-connected scar from right inguinal hernia. The August 1954 rating decision did not involve clear and unmistakable error in denying ratings in excess of 10 percent from July 22, 1954 to July 27, 1954, and in excess of zero percent from August 28, 1954.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The RO has maintained the current evaluations of 20 percent for the left lower leg, 10 percent for the left thigh, and 10 percent for the hip scarring.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back strain, right ankle strain, scar of the left index finger, and recurrent urticaria. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a scar on the cornea of the right eye was remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including sending VCAA notice, addressing the issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU, and readjudicating the issues.

The veteran's death was caused by left-sided pneumonia and sepsis, but the service connection for cause of death is denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition that contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for depression, scars of the left hand and leg, infertility, and impotency. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither a service-connected disability nor alcohol abuse was the principal or contributory cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right neck scar, which is the maximum available under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a shell fragment wound scar of the left foot was denied as there is no evidence that the scars meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's migraine headaches are productive of two migraines a week, missing three to four days a month from work. The RO has granted a 50% rating for his service-connected migraine headaches.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a residual scar from a skin graft of the right malleolus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for either condition.