Scars decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evaluation of his shrapnel scar and headaches, as well as consideration of a separate compensable rating for headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, including associated scars, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scar residual of a cholecystectomy does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is less than 6 square inches in size, superficial, and does not cause any limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, including lung disorder, skin disorder, left hand scar, and seizures, blackouts and dizziness.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction due to coronary atherosclerosis, is considered service-connected based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated. The appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

For the period prior to October 14, 2009, the Veteran's C-section scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Since October 14, 2009, the Veteran's service-connected residual C-section scar has been rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's skin cancer of the left hand, including as due to herbicide exposure, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and an initial compensable rating for a right eyebrow scar. The claim for increased rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or limitation of motion that would support such an increase. The current 10 percent rating for the residuals of partial patellectomy with scarring remains unchanged.

Service connection for alcoholism, glaucoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), amoebic dysentery, cockroach bite, cyst on the buttock, and residual sebaceous cyst scar of shoulder is denied.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a foot injury (claimed as cellulitis residuals and ankle scars) is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of current disability as a residual of any shrapnel wounds sustained during service, and there is insufficient evidence to link the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 4, 1995 for TDIU benefits was denied as there was no prior claim filed before that date.

The Veteran's donor scar, left thigh is rated at 10 percent due to its painful and easily irritated nature. His residuals of frostbite on the left flank remain in dispute.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for surgical scars on the left foot and service connection for impotence and sterility have been denied by the Board.

The Board denied an increased rating for the post-operative scar caused by liver donation with gall bladder removal, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation. The claimant was already receiving the maximum rating possible under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left arm disability, including scars and residuals of an infection. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any such disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected left elbow and right elbow/wrist scars has been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for the left elbow scar. The right elbow/wrist scars remain noncompensably rated.