Scars decisions — 2008

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's burn scars, finding no residual scarring and thus not meeting the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar, residual of abdominoplasty, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations or service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent effective September 2004. The evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritic changes of the right shoulder, myofascial dysfunction of the left posterior shoulder girdle, and scar on the forehead remain at their current levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, GERD with abdominal pain, and a residual abdominal scar. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death, but the evidence does not support granting the claim as the veteran's respiratory condition was not a significant contributing factor to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of all evidence, including recent submissions from the veteran. The issues on appeal include service connection claims for various disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his claimed conditions. The claims will be adjudicated again after the necessary development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right forearm scar, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need to clarify her status with the Army Reserve. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, confirm her military status, and schedule VA examinations to assess her current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical examination to determine the current condition of the veteran's mandible disability and to clarify whether separate ratings should be assigned for the scar and neurological damage.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the scrotum, with loss of the left testicle and atrophy of the right testicle. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shrapnel scars to the buttocks and wounds to the left shoulder and dorsal back.

The Board denied both claims for service connection, finding no evidence of a residual scar from the head injury and no link between the current basal cell carcinoma and military service.

The veteran's right upper extremity sensorimotor neuropathy, right arm scar, and degenerative arthritis of the right elbow are each separately rated based on their individual symptoms. The current rating of 50% for the right radius fracture with postoperative scar is maintained.