Scars decisions — 2010

The Veteran's right corneal scar, status post eye injury, is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling due to asymptomatic visual acuity of 20/25 in both eyes. The Board found no evidence of impairment of central visual acuity or field loss.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including the left ear, left forearm, right side of the nose, upper and lower back, and lip, has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 8, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and hearing loss have been granted.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, coupled with his educational background and work experience, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further evidentiary and due process development, including obtaining records of treatment at Loma Linda VA facility and reviewing submitted new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral scar is rated at 10 percent, the maximum under current regulations. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided by Halifax Hospital on April 14, 2006 was denied because the services were not a medical emergency and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for facial scars and left lower leg/calf disabilities. The Board finds the dates of active service unclear and requests further development to determine the exact dates of service, including Merchant Marine service under Army jurisdiction.

The Veteran's current right eye disability, including trichiasis, corneal keratopathy, and corneal scarring, is considered to have been incurred during his military service.,PTSD was initially granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective January 25, 2006. The Veteran's PTSD from August 26, 2009, resulted in more severe symptoms and impairment, warranting an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, abdominal scar post-Caesarian section, and right wrist tendonitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions but denied an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's scar of the upper lip is granted service connection as it is considered a residual of an in-service laceration.

The Board denied service connection for hematuria, dry eyes (loss of lachrymal glands), and keloid scar with pseudofolliculitis barbae and papules. The underlying medical conditions causing these symptoms were not identified in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include multiple fragment wounds and scars associated with those wounds, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining whether the Veteran is in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to determine if they render him unemployable.

The Veteran's initial claim for a noncompensable evaluation of perianal laceration with residual scar and lax anal sphincter was denied. The appeal regarding the back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for bilateral knee, hip, and hand disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability or his active service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his laceration scar on the dorsum of the left hand and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left inguinal hernia scar is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him eligible for TDIU from August 30, 2004 to September 9, 2009 under the schedular percentage requirements. However, he was denied TDIU as his disabilities alone did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.