Scars decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for meningioma, including its surgical removal and related cranial deformity/surgical scars. The Veteran's claims are remanded to the RO for implementation of these grants and consideration of a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected chorioretinal scar of the macular of the left eye with bilateral retinoschisis and early degeneration of the posterior pole of the right eye has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's corneal scar of the left eye warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a head injury, including right-sided facial scar, memory loss and headaches. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The case will be returned to the RO after scheduling this hearing.

The Veteran's right middle finger disability, characterized by degenerative changes and a residual scar, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate VA rating criteria. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand third and fourth metacarpal fractures with scar do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as they do not limit extension by more than 30 degrees or cause skin ulceration or breakdown over the scar.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar, residual of first and second degree burns, left abdominal was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent disability rating adequately reflects the severity of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a supplemental medical opinion from the examiner who conducted his December 2011 VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of a head injury, manifested as a scar on the left frontal parietal region of the scalp, are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of current hemorrhoids/bleeding that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and shrapnel wounds) represent an 80 percent disability rating. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his scar, status post left varicocele repair is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for headaches, sinus disability, and scarring of the nose were not supported by credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board determined that the appellant's account of in-service injuries was inconsistent with the clinical findings at separation from active duty training (ACDUTRA) and his own statements during this time.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar, residuals of a wound to the left forearm, was denied as there is no evidence of additional disability beyond the scar itself. The Board found that the Veteran does not have separate disabilities such as muscle or neurological impairments related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current chorioretinal scar of the left eye is related to active service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected joint disabilities render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.