Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's gynecological conditions, including miscarriage and endometriosis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The recurrent ovarian cysts, severe pelvic adhesive disease, and hysterectomy are unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, shrapnel wounds, and lymphoma, are rated at a combined 60 percent. However, the VA compensation examiners concluded that his disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and nature.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety reaction is rated at 30 percent, effective July 18, 2005. His shell fragment wound scar on the left side of his face remains at a 10 percent rating. The claim to reopen service connection for loss of teeth due to a gunshot wound was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or appendicitis, and denied service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scar to the lower abdominal wall has been rated at a noncompensable evaluation since September 2004. Effective October 30, 2008, the VA assigned a compensable (10%) disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for residual scar of a left thumb laceration and tinea unguium of the bilateral toenails, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anemia, mixed personality disorder (claimed as PTSD), and refractive error of eyes have all been denied. The evidence does not show any current disability that would warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm scar and bilateral hammertoes are related to his service, warranting a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of head trauma and whether separate evaluations are warranted for any head trauma residuals. The case will also be reviewed under newly enacted criteria for traumatic brain injuries.

The Veteran's shrapnel scar of the right posterior calf is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.,PTSD symptoms include impairment in short-term memory, difficulty with motivation and mood, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's multiple scars, including an ear-to-ear anterior scar from the PEG tube insertion on August 2, 2006, have been rated at 30 percent effective that date. The loss of sense of taste remains at a 10 percent rating throughout the period under review. Dysphagia has been rated at 50 percent effective August 2, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an abdominal scar resulting from a Cesarean section and a right knee disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or chronic conditions during her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, residuals of splinter puncture wound, left thigh, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular evaluation criteria.

The Veteran's right thigh shell fragment wound with retained foreign bodies and multiple scars is rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board granted his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his bilateral eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and examination.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury and initial rating for left ear scar are both granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% disability rating for his left ear scar.