Scars decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for non-scarring alopecia areata, superior aspect of scalp as his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's post-operative residuals of a ventral hernia, including recurrence and additional surgery, are rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for the ventral hernia surgical scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability and increased rating for left knee arthritis, finding that his current disabilities did not begin during service or as a result of service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for facial scars, service connection for Raynaud's phenomenon and thoracic outlet syndrome. The veteran's facial scarring is rated as moderately disfiguring, while his Raynaud's phenomenon and thoracic outlet syndrome are found to have increased in severity due to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, while the scar on his right ring finger is considered a direct result of service. The claim for the scar was granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of electrical burns of the left thigh and graft donor site scars of the right thigh and left anterior chest due to failure to appear for necessary VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of scarlet fever, to include right hand tremors in March 1996. The RO has now declined to reopen the claim based on lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for scars due to basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic and actinic keratosis is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and proper notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eardrum scar warrants a noncompensable rating, as there is no evidence of a complete perforation or other condition warranting a higher evaluation. The claim for an increased rating for this condition was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for scars on the right and left thigh was granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved.

The VA has denied an initial compensable rating for the right groin scar, residual of repair of a pseudoaneurysm of the right femoral artery, as a result of cardiac catheterization.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, did not result in unemployability prior to April 21, 2000. As such, the effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for napalm burn residuals to both legs and residuals of shell fragment wounds with fractured jaw, loss of teeth. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran sustained these conditions in service.

The veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including those related to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and left inguinal hernia scar.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, irritable colon system, left hernia scar, right hernia scar, residuals of left 3rd and 4th metacarpal fractures, tendonitis of the right shoulder, and left elbow olecranon bursitis. The Board also denied the veteran's claim to reduce his disability rating for removal of the left testicle with erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence showing the veteran's current right leg fracture, scar from a hernia operation, or back disorder are related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability rating and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been denied due to his repeated failure to report for VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected scalp laceration scar residuals and left hand disability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims of negligence or inadequate care. The cause of death was attributed to brainstem herniation due to large right cerebral stroke.