Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his scar, left anterior neck was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds of right calf with scar and neuralgia of deep peroneal nerve was denied. The reduction from 100% to 20% evaluation for prostate cancer was granted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left hip iliac crest defect and scar, finding that the pain caused by the underlying bony defect is best addressed under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's left hand condition, which includes amputations of multiple fingers and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 60 percent evaluation under the VA rating schedule. The claim for service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his SFW scars and left knee disability are denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability has been rated at 30 percent prior to July 20, 2009 and at 50 percent since that date. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected right elbow postoperative residuals of soft tissue mass, muscle herniation, and resultant scar was denied. The Board remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residual scars of a spontaneous pneumothorax do not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating under VA's skin disorders rating criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for scarring, residual, epidermoid cyst excision, forehead as it was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or negligence, and did not find service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for scar, residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair was denied. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence is against an initial compensable evaluation for this condition under either the former or amended criteria during the appeal period. For his low back disorder, the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 6, 2000, and a higher initial evaluation was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skeletal conditions, including knees, fractured ribs, a scarred lung, hip, and elbow is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records from 1996 to 1997 and medical records from Heidelberg Army Hospital in Germany and Auburn Imaging in California.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's PTSD is found to have played a substantial role in his death from a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's scars of the left arm, face, and back of the head with retained shrapnel have been rated at 10 percent. The claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (excluding scars and headaches) has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss in the right ear and increased initial ratings for service-connected residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right upper extremity, including scar, ulnar fracture, and muscle disability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The right upper arm burn scars, neuropathic pain, chronic reflux laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are currently evaluated at the lowest possible ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination of his service-connected post-operative ganglion cyst of the right wrist, including a residual scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not render him incapable of obtaining or sustaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 26, 2004. The Board finds that the criteria for an earlier effective date for TDIU are not met.