Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and a scar from lipoma excision on his back are service-connected. The appeal for residuals of lipomas is dismissed as the Veteran does not have any such condition.

The Veteran's service-connected peripapillary scar, iridodialysis, right eye, with glaucoma and early cataract was productive of best vision from 20/80 to 20/300 which progressed to detection of hand motion and ultimately progressed to blindness with no light perception. The Veteran's service-connected condition did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 18, 2007, or 40 percent from October 18, 2007.

The Veteran's skin disorder and scarring are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination. Service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected conditions were denied. The VA examinations and medical records did not support the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, except for post-bronchodilator FEV-1/FVC results.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and his shrapnel scars on the back are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as they only amount to a combined disability evaluation of 60 percent. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa does not prevent him from working.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a service connection for a low back disability, including a back scar. The Veteran's statements about an inservice injury and his VA medical records from St. Croix are considered in this process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in most cases, except for left lower extremity paresthesia which met the criteria for a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital in Kentucky due to a motorcycle accident is granted, as the treatment was necessary and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum under current rating criteria. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher initial disability ratings. The Board found that the current evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected tropical lung disease and his current emphysema.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, rated at a combined 70 percent disabling, preclude her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including scarlet fever residuals and heart disease, are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, and the increased rating for his left eye disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for facial scars, effective October 6, 1997. The Veteran's service-connected facial scars are manifested by only one characteristic of disfigurement and no more than moderate scarring.

The Veteran's appendectomy scar is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's skin disorders rating schedule, and therefore his claim for an increased rating is denied.