Scars decisions — 2006

The VA denied the veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that the fall during his April 1993 hospitalization caused forehead scarring.

The Board has determined that the veteran's laceration scar of the right palm warrants an initial compensable rating of 10 percent, as it is manifested by mild neurological impairment but not moderate functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing is conducted.

The Board found that the cause of death was an overdose of medications, combined with illegal substances. The service-connected disabilities did not contribute to the veteran's death.

The appellant withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions and records from the SSA.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date were granted. The case is now closed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scars is being remanded due to the need for further examination and review of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not due to VA treatment and have therefore denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her hysterectomy, cervical spine, low back, and foot conditions, have a combined disability rating of 80 percent. These disabilities prevent the veteran from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's perianal abscess scar residuals since July 29, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residual burn scars, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to support the claim.

The Board denied service connection for left foot contusion, and granted service connection for deviated nasal septum and scar of the right foot.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully considered. This includes providing proper VCAA notice, considering new regulations for skin disabilities, scheduling a VA examination for the left shoulder condition, and obtaining English translations of relevant Spanish documents.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's residual scars, laceration to right pre-tibial region, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 26, 2003. His degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee are both rated at 10 percent. The veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. His surgical scar of the left 7th rib is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His eczema is also rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation prior to December 1, 2000. Therefore, the claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right upper eyelid surgical scar was denied. His claims to reopen service connection for psychiatric disorder and exophoria/exotropia were also denied.