Scars decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for scars, to include a left ear laceration, head scars, and facial scars.

The veteran's laceration residuals resulting in a scar and dermatitis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, but he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for vascular insufficiency of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for the service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and a rating greater than 10 percent for SFW residuals in the neck, pursuant to the terms of a Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability and status post cyst removal with residual scars as they were not related to the veteran's service.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for residual scarring from a laceration to the left foot, as the scar did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The appeal is remanded for a medical opinion to determine if the veteran developed additional disability as a result of May 2003 VA surgical procedures.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, and the claims for a compensable rating for a postoperative appendectomy scar and service connection for peptic ulcer disease were denied.

The appeal is remanded for further examination and development of the evidence related to the claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, right elbow arthritis, and an increased rating for burn scars of both legs due to shell fire.

The veteran's service-connected multiple scars of the left thigh, left chest, and forearms were found to be painful but not severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's scar, right foot, was granted a 10 percent evaluation due to pain on palpation.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a right knee disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), and lung scarring due to exposure to asbestos.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for post operative residuals of right anterior cruciate ligament repair was denied, but he was granted a separate 30 percent evaluation for ACL deficiency with instability and recurrent buckling effective March 14, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, scars of the right eyelid and forehead, and right eye injury. However, it was found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, as the symptoms were found to be manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

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

The veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for the scar on his right forearm was granted, as the evidence showed that the scar is painful and covers less than 12 square inches.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as the evidence did not show that he had service-connected disability resulting in loss of use of at least one foot or a hand, or permanent impairment of vision in both eyes.

The veteran's left hand disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis or significant limitation of motion.

The veteran is entitled to compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for keloid scars resulting from VA coronary artery bypass graft surgery in April 1999, but the claims for stomach infections and a higher rating for chronic epididymitis are remanded.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development.