Scars decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is manifested by a right maxillary nasal polyp, and the Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for the appellant's residual surgical scar on the left leg, as it is manifested by two linear scars that are deep and painful but not unstable with no other disabling effects.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral loss of visual field due to scarring secondary to Steven-Johnson syndrome is not shown to have been manifested by a visual field restriction of less than 30 degrees in either eye during the period of the appeal, and thus, he does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left leg disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and ankle disability, including pes planus, chronic plantar fasciitis, hammertoes or post-surgical residuals (including scars), numbness of the right foot, and bilateral ankle strain, is at least as likely as not related to her service. Therefore, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound has been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification of the role played by his service-connected PTSD in his confusion, which may affect his eligibility for SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the chin and for residuals of an injury to the arm. The claim for skin disability was also denied, with no specific basis provided.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of fracture of the right fifth metatarsal, and hypertension are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are not higher based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of sarcoidosis, left knee retropatellar syndrome, left mid-femur scar, and exostosis (bone spur) of the left mid-femur. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound, right leg, Muscle Group XII was denied. The RO assigned the maximum available rating (30%) based on the severity of his muscle injury and neurological manifestations.

The Board denied service connection for jaw disability, scar on left side of head, right ear hearing disability, gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), and fungal disorder of the groin and toenails. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue regarding removal of rib. The claim for an increased rating for surgical scar, anterior neck, was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO by videoconference.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle disability and surgical scar of the left ankle were denied. The maximum rating (20%) was assigned for the left ankle disability, effective January 3, 2001.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his scars are not rated higher due to the lack of specific details provided in the decision summary. The appeal for service connection for ulnar nerve injury was not addressed.