Scars decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left index finger scar is not shown to cause any functional impairment or limitation, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a right thumb disability, left shoulder disability, testicular disability, diabetes mellitus, or migraine headaches in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper eyelid scar with exposure keratitis does not warrant a compensable rating under the current criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his shell fragment wound of the left shoulder with scars remains pending and needs to be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits as he already has a suitable job and does not have an employment handicap.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, anxiety disorder, and others, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a condition to account for her heart murmur has been withdrawn. The Board is granting service connection for residual scars from an abdominoplasty and cesarean sections, as well as inactive tuberculosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's meningioma was not caused by a disease or injury during his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is currently before the Board on issues of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability and service connection for adhesions (claimed as scar tissue) secondary to bowel resection surgeries. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and clarification of the effects of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's left corneal scar is currently rated at 30 percent, effective the date of his claim. The VA examiner found that the scar had an asymmetrical appearance and adhered to underlying tissue.

The Board has remanded the case to provide an examination for the Veteran's claimed mouth injury and scars, as well as to address whether any current scarring is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for accrued benefits and service connection for the cause of his death. The appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of her husband's death, and there is no evidence linking the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disorders. However, she does not have a current gynecological disability associated with her miscarriage in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to or a consequence of bacteremia, respiratory failure, and COPD. The Board also denied entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's right testicle scar warrants a noncompensable rating. The claim for hearing loss is pending in the RO.