Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity warrant a 40 percent evaluation effective June 3, 2008. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's third degree burn scar of the right lower leg is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, dizziness, and scar tissue of the lungs. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, and for increased ratings for scars on the scalp and right hand were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year after separation from service, nor any link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent effective March 24, 2009. The other disabilities were previously granted and remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to protect himself from daily hazards and requires regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his thoracotomy scar was granted, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a deviated septum was denied as there was no evidence of current disability associated with the condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound has been denied as his service-connected disability does not meet the criteria for SMC benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and employment information. The VA will also schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right knee scar effective from October 24, 2003. The RO later assigned an earlier effective date of August 16, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for the post-operative scar on left bulbar conjunctiva is being remanded due to need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and laceration scars of the forehead and lip. The Board has remanded these claims due to incomplete information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as a need for updated evaluations of his facial scars.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee DJD with residual scars is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The scar of the right knee is not painful and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has not resulted in ankylosis or severe intervertebral disc syndrome, which would warrant a higher rating. The residuals of post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee with history of right medial meniscectomy have been rated as 30 percent disabling since November 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his post-surgical scars on both feet, nor did it establish service connection for his bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and mild to moderate disc bulging at L4-5 with mild bilateral neural stenosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for cracked tooth number 5 with implant, finding no evidence of a dental disability incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for residuals of scarlet fever due to lack of current disability and medical nexus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current scar residuals on his scalp are the result of disease or injury incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for scar residuals of a head trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the period relevant to this appeal.