Scars decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his right wrist disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on all the issues listed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and no current disability is shown.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the record, including scheduling an eye examination and considering all submitted evidence. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abrasion on the right leg, a scar on the back of the head with migraines, and a psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and current bilateral knee disability are related to service. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis for corneal damage with painful scar of the right eye or sinusitis. The veteran's claims for these conditions will be remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis with scarring, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for the service-connected status post excision of mass on the right foot with residual scar, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service record shows a scar from a post-operative small puncture wound of the chest, and no other chest condition. Therefore, service connection for this specific scar is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected surgical scarring of the back does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for dysthymic disorder, bilateral hand eczema, and scarring on the penis shaft. The RO will be directed to address these issues in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tension headaches do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his residuals of left knee injury with scar are rated at 20 percent. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the veteran's forehead scars, residuals of a fragmentation wound do not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 10 percent. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent was assigned for tender scarring.

The Board has determined that a separate initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no greater, is warranted for both the appellant's abdominal scar and his right flank scar.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed right knee condition. For his left tibial stress fracture with scar from excision, the Board determined that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hand injury with scar warrants a 10% evaluation, reflecting mild functional impairment.

The veteran's service-connected shrapnel wounds to the left forearm and leg have been rated as noncompensable. The RO has granted a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left forearm, but denied an initial compensable rating for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left leg.