Scars decisions — 2006

The veteran's request for a Board hearing has been transferred to the Los Angeles Regional Office, and he is scheduled for a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, or adaptive equipment, is denied as he does not have a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for alopecia, and as a result, service connection is granted.

The RO granted a compensable (10 percent) evaluation for the scar on the bridge of the nose, but denied increased evaluations for the scars on the left eyebrow and for the postoperative residuals of excision of an odontogenic cyst of the left maxilla.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected skin disorders, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under either the old or new regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for thoracic spine disc disease and a tender painful thoracic surgical scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new VA rating schedules.

The Board has granted service connection for a headscarf injury and alcohol abuse, but denied service connection for headaches and mental disorders. The scar was directly related to the veteran's in-service injury. Service connection for the other conditions is not established as they are not shown to be related to his active duty.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder does not render him helpless and in danger in his daily environment, requiring the regular assistance of another individual on a daily basis to accomplish personal self-care.

The veteran's left wrist disability was granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent effective October 11, 2002. His left iliac crest donor site scar remains at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is granted as it had its onset during service. The claim for tinnitus is not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service. The rating for shrapnel wound scar on mandible with retained foreign body remains at 10 percent, and the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are rated noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The VA determined that the veteran does not have a dental condition or disability resulting from active military service, and his other service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his laceration scar of the right lower leg, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable rating criteria. The appeal is denied.