Scars decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the residuals of a right thumb injury, finding that the veteran's symptoms include pain and deformity. The effective date remains pending as clinical records are not associated with the claims folder.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of gunshot wound scars and a circular scar on his right arm, all dating back to October 14, 2004.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the veteran's evaluations of his shell fragment wound residuals and scar residuals, finding that no ascertainable increase in disability was shown prior to the date of claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities were denied by the RO. The conditions include residuals of shell fragment wounds affecting various limbs and body parts.

The veteran's service-connected left earlobe scars are rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of her claim (July 2000). The medical evidence shows moderate disfigurement with three characteristics of disfigurement.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirement for a TDIU rating and are found to prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's scar of the right forearm is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or based upon housebound status is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, left posterior thigh, right thigh, and right upper arm shell fragment wound residuals including scars.

The Board has determined that the veteran's laceration scar of the left eyelid does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's TMJ syndrome has been productive of pain which limits the inter-incisal opening to no more than 30 millimeters with strain, and V3 paresthesia of the seventh cranial nerve. The disability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to February 17, 1994.,The veteran's TMJ syndrome has been productive of pain which limits the inter-incisal opening to no more than 30 millimeters with strain, and V3 paresthesia of the seventh cranial nerve. The disability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to February 17, 1994.,The veteran's TMJ syndrome has been productive of pain which limits the inter-incisal opening to no more than 30 millimeters with strain, and V3 paresthesia of the seventh cranial nerve. The disability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to February 17, 1994.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for scars of the right hand is being remanded due to procedural issues and potential effective date assignment.

The Board has determined that the case is REMANDED for further development due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically regarding Muscle Groups XIII and XIV.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than May 16, 1961 for the grant of service connection for the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left forearm is not established.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's occipital head scar and denied reopening of his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings related to his pilonidal cystectomy scar and healed C5 fracture, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than February 14, 1974.

The Board has granted service connection for shrapnel wound scars with retained foreign body of the left lower leg and a compensable rating for shrapnel wound scar of the left scapula area, but denied service connection for a right leg/calf disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's left eye uveitis with history of chorioretinitis and post-operative cataract, effective as of the date of the decision.