Scars decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for a right knee scar and dental disorder, but granted outpatient dental treatment benefits due to the veteran's 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right leg scar was incurred during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee injury and sebaceous cyst removal from the neck were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability beyond what is already provided by the current rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left ankle scar, residual of shrapnel fragment wound, finding no limitation of function and thus not warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional assistance is required to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran needs VA examinations for her service-connected knee disabilities, left arm keloids, and left foot disability. She also needs an examination to determine whether she currently has a chronic throat disability or hearing loss due to service.

The Board found that the veteran's shell fragment wound scar of the lower abdominal wall does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating, as it is not deep or painful enough to warrant such a rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the April 1971 rating decision were both denied. The Board found that there was no CUE in the prior VA rating decision, as amended in March 1988, which did not assign a separate evaluation for multiple abdominal scars.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative right knee surgery, including a scar and osteoarthritis, is service-connected as it resulted from an injury incurred prior to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar of the right cheek, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 30, 2002, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent on or after August 30, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scar to the right flank does not warrant a compensable rating, and his low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his splenectomy residuals, including a separate examination to determine the scar from the removal of his spleen.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for his right shoulder disability and left ankle scar.

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

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scar of the left upper arm, effective from July 19, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder and scar, left thigh, were evaluated at a 10 percent rating from June 15, 2002 to August 17, 2004. The Board found that the criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for his service-connected status post laceration and repair, left long and ring fingers with residuals and scar. The claim was also denied for service connection for right knee and left knee conditions.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left eye corneal scar, effective from the date of the decision. The hearing loss issue was withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and compensable ratings for his service-connected right thigh scars and muscle injury have been denied. The effective date is set at August 4, 2005, the date of filing of the most recent claim.