Scars Board decisions

The evidence does not show marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher disability rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a scar of the right leg that was incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's neck and chin scars are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's vocal cord stricture is currently rated at 10 percent, as there is no evidence of thickening or nodules on biopsy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The increased rating and diabetes mellitus claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder-bipolar type, and deformity and scarring of the left ear resulting from surgery in service are granted. The Veteran does not have a presumptive or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities, including in combination, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted sufficient to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for burn scar, right hand. As such, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, thigh laceration with superficial scar, and ankle sprain disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a herniated disc laminectomy and major depressive disorder, make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right leg injury other than a scar, and his arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence to support a claim for any right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and multiple physical impairments, meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH). However, his entitlement to SAH precludes him from receiving financial assistance in acquiring special home adaptations (SHA).

The Veteran's increased rating claims for an appendectomy scar and a right hand disability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected surgical scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it does not affect an area of 144 square inches or greater and there is no limitation of motion or other functional impairment associated with the scar.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left ulnar neuropathy and scars of the left elbow was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was currently assigned.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 17, 1997 for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent since December 17, 1997 and no higher. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee with scarring has been rated at 20 percent from July 23, 1998 to August 23, 2007 and at 30 percent since August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of gunshot powder burns of both eyes are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current symptoms.