Scars decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that further development is required with respect to the right shoulder, osteoporosis, lumbar spine, and GERD claims. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and glaucoma claims are not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing and adaptive equipment benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA examination opinion is necessary to address the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot due to the higher rate set for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow and knee disabilities were granted, with the right knee receiving a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including nausea, diarrhea, bleeding, increased susceptibility to infection, blood clots in legs, scars from infected scratches, pneumonia, high fever, rare virus, skin peeling off body, vomiting, growth on kidneys, boil on genitals, intestinal polyp, diverticulosis (claimed as irritation and small tear in intestine), pancreatitis (claimed as pancreas infection), headaches (claimed as pain on the side of his head), paroxysmal positional vertigo (claimed as inner ear problems with dizziness), memory loss and anxiety, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack), and pilonidal cyst were denied. The Veteran's only service-connected disability is malaria, rated noncompensably disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer of the arms, face, and neck, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims for compensable ratings for scars on his right thumb and calf.

The Board denied service connection for vision loss claimed as secondary to the service-connected scar residuals. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a sebaceous scar cyst, left cheek, was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective from November 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the chest area and lower left leg do not result in any limitation of function, thus failing to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's neck scars and cervical spine disorder, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected scar and right ankle fracture have not been found to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence indicating a causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, except for tinnitus. Therefore, service connection was denied for all other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected IBS and scar.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye disability, including a macular scar, cataract, and visual loss. The claim for left eye disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The Appellant must provide names of any private treatment providers and identify any VA facilities where the Veteran received treatment.