Scars decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The facial scarring was granted a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as he is already in receipt of compensable ratings for his service-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right tibia and fibula fracture was denied. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head trauma and PTSD were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to the in-service accident or any other exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his primary cause of unemployment is a nonservice-connected pulmonary disability. The combined evaluation for the service-connected conditions (scar and paralysis of the left radial nerve) meets the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left hand scar is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on December 30, 1997 was denied as the surgery was not previously authorized and did not pose an immediate risk to her health.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hemorrhoids, a chorioretinal scar, and right ear hearing loss were denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen them. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also denied.

The Veteran's left eye scar was incurred in service, while his left eye vision loss is not related to service.,An increased rating of 30% for PTSD has been granted since November 2, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer and accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking his death to service or any presumptive conditions. The appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to establish exposure to white phosphorus, which was a key factor in her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received and because a statement of the case must be issued on the noncompensable ratings granted for scar of left thumb and scars of left forearm.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his National Guard service records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea, left hand injuries, and left wrist injury.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The Board also determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, which are not related to his military service.

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 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, to include scarring, was denied as there is no competent evidence relating these symptoms to a lung disability.