Scars decisions — 2008

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased (compensable) rating for the service-connected residuals of multiple shrapnel fragment wounds of the right upper extremity, and the claims for earlier effective dates were denied as no earlier claim was filed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or additional service-connected conditions.

The veteran's right eyebrow scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and service connection for a psychiatric condition was denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a TDIU prior to April 15, 1986, as the evidence did not show that the veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities before that date.

The veteran's initial disability rating for scar on the face and neck was increased to 30 percent, effective December 13, 2004. The ratings prior to this date were not sufficient.

The veteran's left thigh burn scar was rated at 20 percent, but the claim for a higher rating for his left calf scar was denied.

The veteran's major depression and PTSD are not shown to be more disabling than contemplated by a 30 percent rating, and the scar on her left foot is not shown to be more disabling than contemplated by a 10 percent rating.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee injury, a dental disorder, and various other conditions, as well as denied new and material evidence to reopen claims for several previously denied conditions. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for an eyebrow scar but not for scars on the biceps or shoulder.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left eye injury with decreased vision due to staphyloma, stromal scar, and amblyopia was denied as the evidence did not support a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in his service-connected left eye.

The Board remands the claim for a clarifying VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's scar of the left ring finger is manifested by a superficial scar that is tender or painful on examination, warranting a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, pleural plaques and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos exposure during military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU was remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to quantify the current degree of visual loss attributable to the service-connected corneal scar, secondary to trauma.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of right eye injury, including scarring, is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse was denied due to it being a result of his own willful misconduct, including abuse of alcohol or drugs.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a stab wound scar of the right posterior thorax, and an earlier effective date for an increased rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.