Scars decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected scars of the right knee, left knee strain, and limitation of flexion of the left knee. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, left ankle disability, healed fibula fracture, and scar have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's current disability manifests itself with flare-ups of perianal abscesses that have caused scarring in the rectal and scrotal areas, but his service-connected rating for this condition remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scars on the right leg, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar of an excision of an ossicle of the right patellar tendon is manifested by pain and tenderness to palpation, resulting in a 10 percent rating since July 27, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled video conference hearing. The claim for increased ratings will be addressed after scheduling another hearing.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected causes, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability evaluation, as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The scar is currently rated at its maximum allowable under current regulations.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 50 percent, effective March 19, 2004, was correctly calculated by the RO. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia scar is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of instability or other exceptional circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of Dr. RL's May 2005 letter and an opinion on whether the meningioma is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar tissue of the esophagus and vision problems, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back condition has been rated at 40 percent since September 1, 2000. The Board found that the current rating of 60 percent is warranted based on moderate limitation of lumbar spine motion and mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.

The Board has granted service connection for facial scars, finding that the current facial scars are attributable to the facial lacerations in service.

The Veteran's residuals of a gun shot wound to the right posterior sacroiliac region, Muscle Group XVII are rated at 50 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for a painful scar associated with this condition. The right auricle scar remains at 0 percent disability.