Scars decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right eyebrow scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The varicose veins of the right leg are currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of persistent edema or swelling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne due to exposure to Agent Orange and denied his increased rating claims for burn scars of the right hand and left hand. The veteran was not granted any new ratings.

The Board found no evidence of asbestosis or pleural plaques and scarring of the lungs, which are unrelated to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the service-connected recurrent umbilical hernia with postoperative scarring, finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the veteran's condition. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for the weakened abdominal wall.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 11, 1995, for a 10 percent disability evaluation for residual scar with incisional hernia.

The Board finds no evidence of a current right shoulder or arm disability, and the veteran's service-connected residuals from his mastectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, with no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected laceration scar residuals of the right elbow and to determine if there is any additional range of motion loss due to pain or flare-ups.

The veteran's right thoracotomy scar is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and his restrictive pulmonary disease has not been found to meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA schedular guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar, left of anus, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule. Therefore, the claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected scar on the left patella, lower thigh area warrants a 10 percent disability rating and denied his claim for an increased evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of headaches and has denied his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10% evaluation for shell fragment wound scars. The initial disability rating for PTSD remains at 30%.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left trapezius muscle scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right tibia with ankylosis of the ankle, atrophy of the right thigh, mandible fracture residuals, healed rib fracture, facial scars, and chest scar, are currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for all service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim due to a need for further examination and consideration of new evidence, including recent x-rays showing retained metal fragments in his right forearm and calves. The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected shell fragment wounds.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection, but denied them on their merits as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vision loss disability, corneal scar, optic nerve head drusen, and visual field constriction are not related to his active duty service.