Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the left thigh and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic sinusitis, and the Veteran's left forearm shrapnel wound residuals did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to June 27, 2008 or from that date forward. The right buttock cyst removal scar and left foot wart removal scars were not shown to be disabling enough to warrant compensable ratings. The lumbosacral spine disability was found to not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his period of active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for all issues is denied.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not result in his inability to care for any of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others, nor do they result in an inability to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's post-operative left inguinal-abdominal scar with residual incisional hernia has been rated at 30 percent since February 28, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a surgical scar associated with internal derangement of the right knee, traumatic arthritis was denied by the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left bronchogenic cyst, status-post thoracotomy, with scar. The evidence showed no limitation of function or restrictive lung disease.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scars, status-post appendectomy with adhesions are currently manifested by two scars. The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 10 percent for these scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, a right ankle disability, and a left ankle disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 4, 1957 rating decision that did not assign a separate compensable rating for a left ankle scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's corneal scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of any loss of vision or active pathology in the right eye.

The Veteran's claim for an initially compensable evaluation for status post fusion scars, midline low back and posterosuperior iliac crest associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine status post plates with screws at L4-5 and L5-S1 was denied. The Board also found that service connection for PTSD, a bilateral hip disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder is not warranted as secondary to a service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the appellant's current left eye disorders, including corneal scarring and pseudophakia, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his INACDUTRA duty in July 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide her with a VA examination for her service-connected scars and plantar fasciitis, as well as to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for calluses on his right and left feet have been denied as the evidence does not show that either foot disability is more than moderate in degree.

The Veteran's scar, pilonidal cyst does not meet the minimum requirements for a compensable evaluation based on surface area of the scar or limitation of function.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, a rating in excess of 50 percent for left hip total replacement, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of fracture, distal shafts of the first and second metatarsals, left foot. The Veteran was also denied a separate rating for nerve damage of the posterior tibial nerve associated with residual gunshot wound to Muscle Group X, left foot and ankle.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headaches and scars of the face and scalp are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.