Scars decisions — 2009

The Board denied the claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left arm, with scarring, and a scar of the chin.

The Veteran's residuals, second degree burn scars, left ear, back, neck and left upper extremity are rated at 10 percent as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's dyspepsia was incurred during his military service, and the criteria for a compensable rating for residual scars due to shrapnel fragment wounds (SFWs) to the right arm and left forearm have not been met.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to both claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, dental disability, lower extremity disability, cervical spine disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), defective vision, suppurative otitis media, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, headaches, and postoperative hernia scar.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability, or that any of the claimed disabilities were incurred in active military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the right buttock and residuals of a right testicle removal.

The veteran's abdominal scars and associated nausea and constipation do not meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The Veteran's right middle finger scar is not associated with underlying soft tissue damage or degenerative changes, does not exceed an area of 12 square inches (77 square centimeters), and does not cause limitation of motion.

The claims for increase of the Veteran's service-connected scars on the left shoulder, abdomen, and left knee and upper shin are being remanded to secure additional evidence and arrange an examination to determine their current severity.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current skin condition, to include acne and residual scars, etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as effective dates prior to certain dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shell fragment wound scars to the left thigh and mid-spine, as well as separate evaluations for the scars.

The appeal for service connection for disfigurement due to facial scars is remanded for the issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition as a residual of smallpox or treatment for smallpox, and scars as residuals of smallpox but denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 40 percent disabling lumbar strain and a noncompensable scar on the lower back, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent evaluation on the basis of limitation of extension, while her left knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion and a 10 percent evaluation on the basis of limitation of extension. The Veteran's left forearm scar was not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to December 18, 2008, but was granted a 10 percent rating beginning that date.

The veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected melanoma, but the claims for a large mass of the groin area and increased ratings for residuals of a donor site scar of the right hip and melanoma were denied.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance as of May 1, 2005.