Scars decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent, his scar on the left leg did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and he failed to establish service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee puncture wound residuals including cellulitis, lymphangitis, and post-operative left knee internal meniscus removal scar residuals.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of arthritis or bursitis in either shoulder or forearm, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for a left eye area scar is pending.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left thumb disability and left knee scar, as well as denied his applications to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of a left foot sprain and arthritis of the left knee.

The Board found that the veteran's right inguinal herniorrhaphy scar is manifested by pain but not deep or causing limited motion, and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's disabilities, including his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions and non-service-connected left hand injury with amputation, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for ilioinguinal nerve entrapment by scar tissue and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective October 5, 2000. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, left inguinal hernia, and service-connected neck scar. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss before April 21, 2004 is granted with an evaluation of zero percent. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids remains pending as new and material evidence has not been received. The claims for service connection for varicocelectomy scar are granted.

The Board previously granted an increased disability rating to 30 percent for fracture of the transverse process at L1-L4, with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion effective May 14, 2005. The issues regarding prior ratings are being remanded.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not produce disability of such severity that he requires the aid and attendance of another person or is housebound due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current eye disorders, including an old retinal hole, central corneal scar not affecting vision, and astigmatism, were not related to active service. Therefore, the claim of service connection for residuals of an injury of the eye was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burn scars to the chest, neck and right forearm as there is no medical evidence of current disability. The claim for service connection for depression was remanded due to recent treatment records not being associated with the file.

The RO granted service connection and a 30 percent rating for chloracne and acneiform facial scarring, effective August 21, 2003. The veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted after his initial denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residual scarring of the left wrist does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, and thus denied her claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, claimed as spinal curvature, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence showed no chronic condition during service and no continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new medical evidence suggesting that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds may have contributed to his death. The VA will obtain an opinion on this matter and then re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for a right shoulder disorder and denied the veteran's claim. The issue of an increased disability rating for his scar of the right thumb was not addressed in this decision.