Scars decisions — 2006

The veteran is granted separate disability ratings of 40 percent for nerve damage to the right hand and forearm, effective from July 23, 1997 to November 3, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment.

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

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current facial scar related to the veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for facial scar residuals of a head injury is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding no association between the current diagnosed migraines and the veteran's period of active service.,The Board also denied an increased disability rating greater than 10 percent for the upper-right-chest scar with history of right pneumothorax and left hydrothorax.

The veteran's abdominal scarring is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as there are no conditions warranting an increase in his current rating.

The Board found no evidence of the veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation in service. There is also no competent medical evidence linking any of his current conditions to service or to such exposure. Therefore, service connection for these claims was denied.

The veteran's claims of increased ratings for scars on his right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis of C5-6 vertebra, increased rating for prostatitis and urethritis, and a compensable rating for chorioretinitis with scar of right retina and history of bilateral retinal holes.,The evidence did not support granting any of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a scar on the back of his left leg, hepatitis, hearing loss, poor blood circulation, night sweats, and fatigue, were all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for the scar of basal cell carcinoma excision was granted, and a subsequent higher rating of 10 percent was assigned effective from August 8, 2001.

The Board finds no evidence that the veteran's current conditions are related to VA medical treatment, and thus denies compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's left eye disability is manifested by irregular image, but no diminished visual acuity or field loss. A rating of 10 percent is granted for the left eye disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher SMC ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher level of care or aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, back disorder, hepatitis A with liver damage, or multiple generalized complaints. The service connection claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and right eye disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, separate evaluations of 10 percent for scars on the right leg and lateral leg extending onto the buttock, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of right femur fracture with hip disability and shortening of the leg.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for shell fragment wound scars of the right forearm and thoracic spine, as well as residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right lower abdomen, were denied. The VA found that the scars did not meet criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for a transverse scar of the right olecranon process and a compensable evaluation for a round scar of the same area, both rated at 10 percent.