Scars decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected residuals of right common peroneal nerve injury are currently rated at 20 percent, and his post-operative scars on the right lower leg are rated at 10 percent. The appeal is granted for both issues.

The Board has determined that a separate compensable evaluation for the scar on the right lower anterior neck is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's service-connected scarring of the right tibial area, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left elbow scar, right wrist scars, and right leg scar. The TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for postoperative residuals of an excision of a meningioma with blindness of the left eye and surgical scarring, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The veteran's service-connected symptomatic scar of the right thigh is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on Diagnostic Codes 7801 or 7805, which are applicable to deep scars and limitation of function respectively.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right hand disability and whether he should receive a higher rating.

The veteran meets the criteria for a separate rating for right ankle burn scars and is granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right foot due to service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran's service-connected compartment syndrome of the left leg with residual peroneal nerve palsy and left foot drop is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8521. The veteran's service-connected surgical scar to the left calf and skin graft donor site scar to the left thigh are both rated at 10 percent each.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds have not resulted in more than moderate impairment, and thus his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for residual scarring from multiple breast surgeries was denied. The RO found that the scars did not cause any limitation of motion or function, and thus no higher rating could be assigned.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected tender scar of the left foot. The VA has requested additional medical evidence and will conduct a physical examination to assess the severity of the condition, taking into account any other nonservice-connected conditions that may affect it.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, hearing loss, and a left leg disorder manifested by a scar other than a left knee disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that any current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The RO granted service connection for scars in June 1969, but the veteran did not appeal these decisions. In November 2001, the RO increased the rating for a scar of the left upper arm to 10 percent, effective July 19, 2000.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant and his representative have withdrawn it.

The Board found that the veteran's injuries were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar on his right forearm is a result of mustard gas exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of new evidence and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected scar, residuals of splinter puncture wound to the left thigh.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VCAA notice and a VA scar examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also being considered.