Scars decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and scheduling VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no legal basis for reducing the amount of VA compensation being recouped due to financial hardship. The law and regulations do not allow such a reduction.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scar of the left knee does not result in any functional limitation and is therefore not entitled to a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records, a VA examination, and further development of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral cornea scars do not result in compensable loss of vision, field loss, pain, rest-requirement, episodic incapacity or active pathology. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a right hand scar and for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-operative residuals of the right fifth finger have been denied. The evidence does not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting eye condition was aggravated beyond its natural progression during service, thus granting service connection for residuals of a right eye retinal detachment with macular scarring.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded for additional development, including referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for his left leg scar, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim and that the post-service left leg scar is not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection and increased ratings are not addressed in the decision. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, initial increased rating for PTSD, initial increased rating for left shoulder scar (prior to June 11, 2011), and initial increased rating for dyshidrosis have been remanded.

The Veteran's right arm scars and muscle injury are evaluated at a 10 percent rating, with separate evaluations for each condition. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect his disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar has been assigned an initial noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 for unstable or painful scars, effective February 25, 2005. The VA examination did not find the scar to be unstable or painful.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected right wrist disability, including scarring and paresthesias of the median nerve (carpal tunnel syndrome), is being remanded due to incomplete consideration of all relevant issues. The case should be addressed again with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's skin condition and mental health issues are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's skin disorder and back disability are being remanded for further examination and evaluation, as the current evidence does not fully address whether these conditions are related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand long finger scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it is not painful, covers less than 6 square inches, and does not cause functional impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated, and the Board finds that none of them meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The effective date remains unchanged at June 13, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an increase in special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need of aid and attendance.