Scars decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left thumb injury, and GSW scar of the right leg. The veteran was also denied service connection for immersion foot.

The veteran's right wrist median nerve disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,Prior to September 26, 2005, the veteran's left leg scar was manifested by tenderness on palpation and objective findings of well-healed scars measuring 34 centimeters (cm) and 5 to 10 cm long. Beginning September 26, 2005, the veteran's left leg scar is manifested by subjective complaints of pain and tenderness on palpation and objective findings of a well-healed scar measuring 0.5 x 34 centimeters (cm). The right wrist scar was also rated as 10 percent prior to September 26, 2005.

The Board has granted increased ratings for gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, right wrist disability, and appendectomy scar. The veteran's pancreatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's spinal stenosis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right leg disorder. The issue of left knee disorder with surgical scar remains pending, and the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are also pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employment capabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial compensable rating claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of a surgical scar on the right forearm is June 9, 2003. The veteran's earlier claims were not considered timely.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis B and C, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, increased rating for left varicocele, and increased rating for right inguinal hernia scar.

The veteran died of chondrosarcoma, and the Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his death or accelerated it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar on his lower back warrants a 10 percent rating, reflecting its impact on his range of motion and discomfort.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected status post scarification of right lung for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, effective June 6, 2005. The veteran is not entitled to a higher than 30 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to June 9, 2004 was granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent since June 9, 2004 was denied.

The veteran's initial compensable ratings for his left foot disability and scar of the left foot, residuals of a sesamoidectomy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar is not painful upon examination and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7804, resulting in a denial of an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and CUE in a May 1994 rating decision, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The RO granted service connection for peroneal nerve palsy and a scar of the right knee with a 10% rating effective April 30, 2007.