Scars decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected scar, status post laceration of the right foot and sebaceous cyst, right axilla.,Both conditions were rated under their respective diagnostic codes without any indication of a presumption or secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The RO assigned noncompensable and 10 percent evaluations, respectively, for bilateral hearing loss and left hand frostbite residuals.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 9, 1978 for the grant of service connection for headaches. The RO properly combined the veteran's disabilities in a 60 percent combined evaluation and denied the appeal as to this issue.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for scarring of the left flank due to a stab wound has been granted by the Board.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code is granted due to her service-connected disabilities and the need for further education in a suitable field.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the current knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and the ankle disability was not rated higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, and residual scar of the right temple are related to his active military service. The veteran's current conditions were aggravated by or caused during service.

The veteran's combined disability rating was 70% at the time of his death, but he did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating. The Board denied entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of continuous entitlement to a 100% combined evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his residual scar from appendectomy and hypertension, finding that neither condition warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected lacerated wound to the left hand and residuals of a fracture of the left ulna with a well healed scar. The RO will determine if other provisions of the Diagnostic Code apply.

The veteran's fatal congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease were not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the veteran's post-operative residuals of chondroscarcoma of the right humerus, as there was insufficient evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for abdominal pain and a compensable rating for his scar, residual of right hernia repair. The veteran has not provided evidence of current disability related to abdominal pain.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for headaches and scars, but denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD.,Service connection was not granted for headaches or scars.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a neck scar or bilateral knee disability that was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for residual scarring from head trauma due to lack of new and material evidence.,The hearing loss disability claim was remanded as no Statement of Claim had been filed.

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his scars of the left hand or peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.

The veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as clarification on his medication side effects.