Scars decisions — 2008

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a left forehead scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the applicable rating codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice, and the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death remains pending.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 18, 1957 for the grant of service connection for chorioretinal scar of the right eye. The veteran's claim was reopened in June 1957 and his belief in entitlement to service connection benefits for the eye disorder is considered.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The requirements for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met, and the criteria for dependents' educational assistance have also not been met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity, duodenal ulcer, and laceration scar. The veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his left shin scar.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected scars of the left thigh, right leg, and first and fifth toe of the right foot (for accrued benefits purposes) and denied entitlement to improved death pension benefits due to income requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar, lacerated scrotum does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities increased in severity to warrant such a rating at any point between April 14, 2002 and April 13, 2003.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence of a current disability.,For the right wrist cyst, the veteran does not meet criteria for an increased rating as there is no significant functional impairment or limitation of motion.

The cause of the veteran's death, occlusive coronary arteriosclerosis, was not caused by or substantially contributed to his death by any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's residual burn scar of the nose does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left iliac scar was not supported by the evidence, as the limitation of function was attributed to other causes. The claims for neck, right knee, and skin disorders were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scarring and duodenal bulb deformity warrants a 10 percent evaluation, reflecting mild manifestations with recurring symptoms once or twice yearly.

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 28, 1993 is granted for the grant of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected donor scars of the left foot, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and will provide further development as directed by the Court.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for each of the veteran's lower legs due to tender and painful scars from burns and bamboo stick injuries, effective from April 17, 2002.

The veteran's claims of service connection for scars and a neck condition were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a direct link to service.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his scar of the left foot, were denied increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not granted increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's scar of the left foot was not granted a compensable rating. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's headaches were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's bilateral pes planus was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's sleep disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's multiple joint pain was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's neurological disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chest pains were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's memory loss was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's dizziness was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have all been reopened but are still denied.

The Board has decided that additional development of evidence is required before resolving the issues on appeal, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records from specific facilities.