Scars decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a fragmentation wound scar of the right upper arm is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits file.

The Veteran's scar on his neck is rated as 10 percent disabling, covering an area of less than 929 square centimeters and not meeting the criteria for a higher rating based on characteristics of disfigurement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, residuals of removal of shrapnel from the left buttock was denied as there is no evidence that it causes any limitation of motion or pain.

The Veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability (PTSD), and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected head scar is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a postoperative scar of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his blindness and PTSD, are found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from renal failure due to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuance of proper notice and a VA opinion regarding whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran did not develop additional disability as a result of VA treatment, specifically the prescribing of Vioxx. Therefore, his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder. The Veteran's head injury, including scar and headaches, was not determined to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined effect on his lower extremities so as to effectively preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active duty military service.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to April 18, 2006, for the grant of service connection for an abdominal scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder was not granted.,For gastroesophageal reflux disease, the Veteran received a staged 10 percent evaluation beginning August 23, 2008. The Board found that prior to this date, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of multiple scars of the right forearm with slight deformity of the right ring, index, and 2nd finger, tendon damage of the right upper extremity with loss of grip, and arthritis of the right hand. The Board will proceed to review these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's scars did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 31, 1970 for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for scars of the right lower extremity.