Scars decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right groin scar and an initial compensable evaluation for paresthesias and dysfunction in the right ilioinguinal nerve. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation to the left foot and ankle disability effective June 30, 1995.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor as a result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for VCAA notice and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the right arm scars.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for ilioinguinal nerve neuroma and assigned a separate 10 percent evaluation for the scar, right hernia repair. The veteran's service connection claim was not based on exposure to any specific agent or presumption.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder/arm disorder, forearm scars (shrapnel wounds), and degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine were all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board is unable to grant the requested increases or establish service connection due to a lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran was continuously rated totally disabled by reason of service-connected disabilities for a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding his death, under the revised regulation.

The veteran's special separation benefits were properly recouped from his VA disability compensation due to a statutory requirement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for acne keloidalis nuchae and a scar, status post perianal fistulotomy. The conditions are currently rated as they were initially granted.

The veteran's service-connected scars and ulnar neuropathy have been granted increased evaluations, with the right little finger scar receiving a separate evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected inactive, far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with pleuroparenchymal thickening, parenchymal scarring and restrictive defective.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate assessment of the severity of the veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia disability.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to consider whether separate compensable ratings are warranted for symptomatic scars of the right thigh, left forearm, and right thumb. The RO should also consider whether a separate rating should be assigned for muscle injury in the right thigh.

The Board has granted service connection for a head scar. The veteran's left shoulder disability and bilateral shin splints are denied as there is no current disability found.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the RO's 1964 decision that self-inflicted injuries of April 23, 1963 were not incurred in the line of duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pulmonary disorders are related to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain, and an increased rating for hypopigmented scarring due to undiagnosed rash. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for his left leg disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, headache disability, and skin disorder involving the upper extremities and left leg. The veteran served in Vietnam but there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides.