Scars decisions — 2009

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right knee scar effective from October 24, 2003. The RO later assigned an earlier effective date of August 16, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for the post-operative scar on left bulbar conjunctiva is being remanded due to need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and laceration scars of the forehead and lip. The Board has remanded these claims due to incomplete information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as a need for updated evaluations of his facial scars.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee DJD with residual scars is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The scar of the right knee is not painful and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has not resulted in ankylosis or severe intervertebral disc syndrome, which would warrant a higher rating. The residuals of post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee with history of right medial meniscectomy have been rated as 30 percent disabling since November 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his post-surgical scars on both feet, nor did it establish service connection for his bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and mild to moderate disc bulging at L4-5 with mild bilateral neural stenosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for cracked tooth number 5 with implant, finding no evidence of a dental disability incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for residuals of scarlet fever due to lack of current disability and medical nexus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current scar residuals on his scalp are the result of disease or injury incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for scar residuals of a head trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the period relevant to this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering his claim for a TDIU. His service-connected disabilities include PTSD, hearing loss, left hand disabilities, tinnitus, and scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and left arm scar are related to his military service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disability did not warrant an earlier effective date than October 29, 2008 for a 20 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right groin scar is not causally related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee scar, which is superficial and not painful on examination, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The VA examiners found no limitation of motion or instability due to the scar.

The Veteran's acne, nodulocystic condition with moderate scarring involving the lower aspect of his face is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound scars of the right lower extremity are currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 17, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of an abdominal stab wound with laparoscopy scar and ventral hernia secondary to a temporary colostomy do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.