Scars decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and a compensable rating are being remanded for further development.

The Board will reconsider the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury with associated leg pain, scars, and arthritis on the merits.

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

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.

The case is remanded for further procedural and evidentiary development, including providing the veteran with notice of the evidence required to substantiate an increased disability rating claim and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for scars and lacerations of the palm, ring finger, and middle finger on the left hand as the service-connected scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's superficial scarring of the face, neck and upper back as a result of chloracne is presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated during active military service including exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's left armpit scar was not incurred in or aggravated by qualifying military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, light sensitivity of the eyes, residuals of a neck injury, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability and scars on both shins were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while the claims for residuals of a right hip injury and pelvis injury were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for a right ulnar nerve injury remained at 40 percent.