Scars decisions — 2007

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The compensable rating for his scars and non-compensable rating for his lumbar spine disability remain unchanged.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability from his headaches.,The scars on the nose and left flank do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they are superficial and do not cause limited motion.

The veteran's facial scars, which affect the eyelid area of his left eye, are rated at 30 percent disabling due to their unsightly and tender nature. His migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 1, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease did not have its onset in service or as a result of his service-connected conditions, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied.

The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as there was no evidence of a total service-connected disability rating in effect for at least 10 years prior to the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 30 percent, which is less than the required 60 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected burn scars and service connection for hearing loss as secondary to those scars. The decision also denied his request to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral knee problems.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but denied service connection for scars on the feet.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for laceration scar on the right leg.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left knee and residuals of bilateral mandibular injuries with slight chin scar were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and scarred eardrum with otitis media, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's application for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the criteria for eligibility based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a disease or injury during service that caused the veteran's current vision impairment, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing the veteran with a current letter addressing VA's duties to notify and assist, and scheduling the veteran for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disability, other than glaucoma, did not result from service and his bilateral glaucoma is not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the extent of his service-connected multiple scars, residuals of shrapnel wounds.

The veteran's request for a personal hearing before the Board has been granted, and his case is being remanded to schedule this hearing at the RO.

The Board has granted a compensable rating (10%) for the service-connected corneal scar of the right eye. Service connection for residuals of left eye injury is also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO assigned a combined evaluation of 20 percent, which was reduced to 10 percent due to the termination of separate service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various disorders, including diabetes mellitus and visual neuropathy, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.