Scars decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The VA has determined that the veteran's burn scar on his left calf does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that a compensable evaluation (10%) for the veteran's scar of the mouth and lip is warranted based on its depressed surface contour, which meets one characteristic of disfigurement. The preponderance of evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the adherent left thigh scar, effective from July 31, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his chemical burn scars, finding that the current ratings of 20 percent are appropriate based on the severity and extent of the scars.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, as well as further verification of his claimed stressors related to PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar, status post appendectomy were denied. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for a left thumb condition with scar, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's hypertension, right hand injuries, depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction were evaluated, with some issues granted and others not.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a head injury and postural vertigo, are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability evaluations.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including providing the appellant with proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded to the RO/AMC for further development, including an appropriate VA examination and social and industrial survey.

The appeal is remanded for additional evidentiary development to determine if the veteran's service-connected varicose veins were a contributory cause of his death.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code, is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's appeal for service connection claims for chronic pulmonary disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, as well as an increased rating claim for scar status post laceration of the right hand, were withdrawn. The remaining issues resulted in no change to the ratings assigned.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder strain with degenerative changes and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, disc disease, and traumatic arthritis. It granted an initial staged rating of 20 percent for cervical strain, myositis and disc disease from May 14, 1997, and 10 percent for right foot injury with traumatic arthritis, great toe metatarsophalangeal joint fracture from May 14, 1997. It also granted an initial staged rating of 10 percent for a scalp scar effective October 26, 2006.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's postoperative right inguinal hernia and postoperative right ring finger arthrodesis, as there was no evidence of recurrence or residuals other than a scar in the case of the hernia, and no extremely unfavorable ankylosis of the finger in the case of the arthrodesis.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings on all service-connected conditions.

The veteran's left hand scar, a uterus disorder, and chronic bacterial vaginitis were determined to have been incurred during her military service. However, no current disability was found for the left wrist, bilateral shin, or residuals of skin lesions claims.