Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, are not shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 4, 2003 for a 30 percent evaluation for scars of the left leg is denied as there is no evidence suggesting that his disability had increased in severity prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that they met the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound scars of the left flank and right abdomen, finding that his symptoms did not meet criteria warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's surgical scar on the left forearm, resulting from a radial fracture, is rated at 10 percent due to its length and slight disfigurement. The rating for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee remains unchanged.

The Veteran's postoperative left inguinal hernia with pinched nerve and scar tissue buildup is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected major depression and related conditions, which were contributory causes of his death. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his untimely death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including major depression, arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the thoracic spine, and residuals of an appendectomy scar.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including shrapnel wounds to his fingers and forehead, do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to April 2, 2007 for a separate evaluation of the right cheek skin graft scar were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and a corneal scar of the right eye, require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and protect himself from daily environmental hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound scars of the left arm and foot, as well as residuals of a punji stick wound to the rectal area, do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, shell fragment wound of the upper right arm with retained foreign body and residual scar involvement, and shell fragment wound of the right knee are currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The appeals for higher ratings remain denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for surgical scar and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, C5-7, status post spinal fusion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while rated at a combined evaluation of 70 percent, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether separate ratings are warranted for each of the service-connected scars on the left tibia, as they may be symptomatic and not in widely separated areas. The Veteran should also be provided with a VA skin examination.