Scars decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left cheek disorder other than his service-connected left cheek scar. The back disorder is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology for the claimed conditions.,For the status post excision of lipoma on the left buttock, an initial compensable evaluation (10%) has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, including its associated nerve injury and scars, is currently rated appropriately based on the severity of his symptoms. The current evaluations adequately reflect the functional impairment caused by these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left leg and residual scarring of the left second and fourth fingers, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, scars, gastrointestinal disability, and upper respiratory sinus condition and allergies have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.,The Veteran's STRs were silent for complaints, findings, treatment, or diagnosis relating to hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Her postservice VA examination did not find any current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left inguinal hernia scar prior to May 4, 2010, and for a higher rating thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of VA records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying the claim for TDIU on accrued benefits purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an initial compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new and material evidence, finding that no new or material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetic retinopathy. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection, a higher rating for his knee condition, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow the VA to consider additional evidence and conduct any necessary examinations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for traumatic neuropathy of the right first divisional trigeminal nerve, post-traumatic facial scars, and left traumatic ulnar neuropathy with scar were denied as service connection was decided on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a scar of the left hand is dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current headaches to service.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of tension-type/muscle-contraction headaches. The claim for increased evaluations for his colitis and migratory arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 22, 2002 to April 21, 2003. On and after April 22, 2003, the Veteran was not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lung disability, previously evaluated as pulmonary tuberculosis, is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on FEV-1 or DLCO (SB) values.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar from removal of the cytoma on his left forearm is rated at 40 percent, effective June 2009. The RO increased this rating based on pain and limitation of motion in the left arm.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. His combined disability rating remains at 80%.