Scars decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities, including abdominal scarring, stomach problems, hernia, and left-sided nerve damage, which he claims are due to VA treatment of his Crohn's disease. The case needs further examination and review by a medical professional.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for residual scars of a splenectomy and an earlier effective date for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a splenectomy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date, finding that the appellant's service-connected scars did not warrant a rating in excess of 10% or an effective date prior to April 4, 2002.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned an initial noncompensable rating for the scar of the left arm. The veteran's current symptoms, including pain, were considered in determining the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, left ear hearing loss, hiatal hernia with Barrett's esophagus, and facial and neck scarring. The preponderance of evidence did not support higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Harris Methodist Hospital on March 17, 2002 were denied because the treatment was not for an emergency condition and she did not meet other eligibility criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the veteran's service-connected PTSD and herpes-related skin disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids and a postoperative scar on the right breast, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing full-time employment as a recreational therapist, and thus he is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and scarring of the left lung as a result of pneumonia in service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals, exploratory laparotomy scar, status post removal of retroperitoneal dermoid cyst was denied as the disability has not worsened since February 1995.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of medical records from the Social Security Administration and readjudication of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) initial evaluation for shell fragment wound residuals, scarring of the cornea, right eye due to a dense, mature cataract on the right eye that prevented assessment of vision loss from any cause other than the cataract.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance with special adaptive equipment, or for special adaptive equipment only were denied due to the lack of service-connected permanent total disability. The veteran is already receiving a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for adaptive equipment or housing.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for facial scars and residuals of fractured mandible, as there was no evidence showing severe disfigurement or malunion that would warrant a higher rating.