Scars decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for left leg shin splints and assigned a grant of service connection. The initial rating for scars, residuals of shrapnel wounds, right leg remains at 10 percent, while the initial rating for residuals, status post left zygoma fracture is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude substantial gainful employment, and grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for mechanical low back pain and entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable, service connected disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a scar on his left leg as a result of service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA regulations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right elbow condition, currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 14, 2000, based on his service-connected PTSD and low back disability. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that the veteran's difficulties maintaining employment were related to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, forehead scar, and flat feet were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disability, and concluded that his current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and scar, as well as service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities, including the residual scar. The RO will also obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,For his left cheek scar residual of a gunshot wound, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative scarring near his left and right ears do not warrant a higher initial disability rating. The scars meet criteria for one characteristic of disfigurement, but do not meet other characteristics required for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for a cataract and glaucoma, currently evaluated with status post penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus in his left eye. The disability is secondary to service-connected Graves disease.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of emergent medical expenses at a non-VA facility is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or special home adaptation grant, automobile and adaptive equipment, or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right tympanic membrane perforation and chorioretinal scars (both eyes), finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for post left wrist ganglion cyst removal with residual scar and service connection for a right knee condition.

The veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for fibrocystic breast disease has been withdrawn.,The veteran's TMJ dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and a higher evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,The veteran's right upper quadrant cholecystectomy and appendectomy scar is currently rated as noncompensably disabling, and a compensable evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,Based on her service-connected disabilities, including depression, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, duodenal ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, TMJ dysfunction, cervical strain, scar excision for Morton's neuroma of the right foot, and left arm ulnar neuropathy associated with cervical sprain, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.