Scars decisions — 2009

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for the cesarean section scar was denied as there was no evidence of a disability that warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent. The claim for service connection for a mental condition was also denied as there was no current diagnosis of a chronic mental disorder.

The veteran's deformity of the distal antrum and pylorus with GERD and hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent, as it meets the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for the purpose of scheduling a Board hearing using videoconferencing techniques.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and defective hearing do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an eye disorder, and a right leg scar as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right hand injury including a scar, a back disorder, and a foot and ankle disorder as the conditions were not shown to be causally related to the veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder dysfunction, recurrent left varicocele, kidney stones, and left inguinal hernia with scar as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The case is remanded for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's burn scars of the feet do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's residuals of GSWs to the left thigh and left buttock are considered no more disabling than a moderately severe injury for Muscle Group XIII and a moderate injury for Muscle Group XVII, with a separate 20 percent disability evaluation assigned for four painful scars.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for a left foot burn scar and low back disability were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's suture laceration scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities do not clearly interfere with normal employability.

The Board denied service connection for refractive error, a back disorder, residuals of a nose injury, and a left arm scar as there was no evidence to support the claims.

The veteran's left inguinal hernia scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it has not caused any limitation of motion or function.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for hidradenitis suppurativa prior to August 30, 2002, and denied a rating in excess of 60 percent from August 30, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, and he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left eye injury, headaches, and scars, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support the presence of a disability or sufficient severity to warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's initial ratings for low back strain and scar, residual of myomectomy were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2007, and 50 percent from that date. The seizure disorder did not warrant a higher rating in either period.