Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected left eye macular scar resulting from choroiditis have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there is no current disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right hand condition, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for a compensable evaluation for laceration scars of the left hand was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the specified criteria for issuance of a certificate of eligibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a multiple fragment wound scar of the right hip and his postoperative residuals of avascular necrosis of the left femoral head are not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's service-connected multiple fragment wound scars of the right arm and left hip do not warrant higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's scar on the right index finger limits flexion to 3 centimeters of the transverse crease, meeting the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5229.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect. The Board finds that his obesity and other medical problems, rather than the service-connected disabilities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current symptomatology of the Veteran's lumbar scar, as well as its size and function. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's scar, residual of an appendectomy, is rated at 10 percent effective June 13, 2008. The Veteran's scar, residual of a head injury, also meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 30, 2004 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD are denied as there was no pending claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for first and second residual burn scarring on the face is being remanded due to incomplete VCAA notice, lack of examination addressing specific questions from a previous remand, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected dyspepsia and scar, left wrist have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each. The effective date for these ratings is November 1, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more complete VA medical examination of his service-connected scars.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board agrees and grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for burn scars as a result of treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in June 1996 is dismissed because the issue is moot due to her service connection for the burn scars.

For the period from March 11, 2004 through May 20, 2007, the Veteran's right eye corneal scar with foreign body removal and corneal erosion syndrome was manifested by no worse than corrected distant vision of 20/40.,Since May 21, 2007, the Veteran's right eye corneal scar with foreign body removal and corneal erosion syndrome has been manifested by active pathology.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is rated as noncompensable, and his left eyebrow scar with associated hearing impairment does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The Board finds that neither condition warrants an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected forehead scar is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for his claimed conditions based on exposure to Agent Orange. The VA examiners have opined that the Veteran's diabetes, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and skin disorder with scars are not related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for keloid scars of the left arm and assigned a 10 percent rating effective April 28, 2008. The other issues were not addressed as they are no longer on appeal.