Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for the 1 by 7 cm left lateral fibular scar is granted. However, his claim for a left leg disability other than the scar is denied.

The Veteran's claim for disability compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no evidence to support that his loss of a tooth and residual scar were caused by VA care, or if they were, it was not due to negligence on VA's part.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar of the left leg is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that his current right hip disability is not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a residual scar from a gunshot wound to the abdomen was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is found to have begun during her active service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's right thoracotomy, scar, with damage to MGs I and II, three tube site scars, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's gunshot wound residuals, including muscle injury to Muscle Groups I and II, are rated at 30 percent. The scars of the neck and posterior chest are currently rated as 10 percent.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for the shell fragment wound scar of the left fifth metatarsal, finding that the current level of disability is adequately covered by the existing 10% evaluation for residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left foot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU and his claim is granted. The effective date of this decision is June 20, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical disc disease, arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild disc disease and spondylolysis, right leg sciatica, and residuals of a postoperative scar on the bridge of the nose. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's skin disorder, consisting of pseudofolliculitis barbae with superficial facial scarring, has been rated at 30 percent since the date his claim was received. The current rating is appropriate as it reflects that the condition constitutes less than 5% of the total exposed skin area and does not require systemic therapy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the residuals of a right ankle fracture warranted a 10 percent rating effective from August 10, 1994, but not in excess of this level after September 11, 1996. The Veteran's right thigh furuncle scar was also rated at 10 percent effective from February 21, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. His TDIU claim is also denied as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his service-connected conditions preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disfiguring scar of the left occipital region is rated at 30 percent, effective May 8, 2007. The tender scar of the left occipital region is rated at 10 percent, also effective May 8, 2007. The residuals of a head injury are rated at 10 percent, effective May 8, 2007.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for a scar of the right arm was also denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Veteran's right hand shrapnel scars and arthritis of the right index finger have been granted service connection. However, he is not entitled to an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA physician regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.