Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 50 percent, effective March 19, 2004, was correctly calculated by the RO. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia scar is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of instability or other exceptional circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of Dr. RL's May 2005 letter and an opinion on whether the meningioma is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar tissue of the esophagus and vision problems, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back condition has been rated at 40 percent since September 1, 2000. The Board found that the current rating of 60 percent is warranted based on moderate limitation of lumbar spine motion and mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.

The Board has granted service connection for facial scars, finding that the current facial scars are attributable to the facial lacerations in service.

The Veteran's residuals of a gun shot wound to the right posterior sacroiliac region, Muscle Group XVII are rated at 50 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for a painful scar associated with this condition. The right auricle scar remains at 0 percent disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected scar above the right eyebrow and residuals of a skull fracture with chronic headaches are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the revised criteria for traumatic brain injuries.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right ankle sprain and scarring of the fingers on his right hand are both granted.

The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the appellant's claim, including providing proper notice under Hupp v. Nicholson and readjudicating the claim considering all evidence since December 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his Social Security Administration records. The Board will then determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's status-post craniotomy for a brain tumor and postoperative infections with residual seizures, headaches, asymmetrical hearing loss, left extremity paralysis, hair loss, skin damage, head lump, sutures, scars, discoloration and deformed skull was incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the currently assigned evaluations for facial scars, stress fractures of right and left tibia, and fractures of the left mandible parasymphyseal and right mandibular ramus are appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple knee replacements, render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right lower extremity and scars from bilateral varicose vein surgery were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected keloid scar from a stab wound to the abdomen with laparotomy is not deep, unstable, or painful; does not lose its covering repeatedly; does not cover an area of 144 square inches or greater; nor does it adversely affect any function. As such, his disability rating remains at noncompensable.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a scar in the left pectoral region, service connection for a right inguinal hernia, and service connection for a psychiatric disability (claimed as anxiety).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected fracture of the right orbit with residuals, including consideration of multiple symptoms claimed.