Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The denial of the cervical spine, respiratory, and lumbar spine disabilities is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the case has been remanded for additional medical examination to determine if these conditions alone are sufficient to prevent him from pursuing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer disorder and a scar of the throat were denied, while his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left index finger scar was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his shrapnel scars.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by painful limited motion without limitation of extension to 15 degrees or more, without limitation of flexion to less than 45 degrees, and without recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation as they are currently evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for the cause of the Veteran's death. The evidence now shows a causal connection between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his accidental death from a tractor rollover.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left inguinal hernia and groin scar, finding that neither condition warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they result in the need for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

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

The RO granted a 50 percent rating for the appellant's hysterical neurosis, conversion type, effective April 25, 2005. The rating was increased to 100 percent effective April 27, 2007.,The right elbow scar is not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently evaluated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation for arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran seeks a compensable rating for his shell fragment wound scar on the popliteal area of the right lower leg. The case is REMANDED to provide an appropriate examination and consider whether separate ratings are warranted for any associated musculoskeletal or neurological impairment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the groin area, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected plantar/verruca warts. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if there is any relationship between the groin cancer and his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU based on his combined evaluation of 80 percent.

The Veteran's neck scar, which is rated as 10 percent disabling from September 17, 2003, and 50 percent disabling from July 26, 2006, has been granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and a scar from a shell fragment wound, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on these service-connected conditions.