Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound scar, healed fracture of the third right toe, and resultant plantar wart and callus have been rated as a single disability under Diagnostic Code 5310. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation are met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a facial scar, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities that meet the criteria for compensable ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was renal failure, but the VA physician will be asked to determine if his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the service-connected scars of his chin and left ear canal. The claim will be readjudicated on the merits.

The Board found that the February 28, 1973 rating decision did not involve clear and unmistakable error in evaluating the residuals of shell fragment injuries to various body parts. The claim for CUE was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right foot and left foot disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's request for additional training and computer assistance was denied as it is not necessary to improve his independence in daily living given the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back scars are rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent is granted for secondary pruritis. The ratings for the right arm and left arm scars remain non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his claims, nor did he meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for residual scarring from right shoulder arthroscopic surgery, histoplasmosis with lung tissue scarring, and osteoarthritis of the left hand were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his service or at any point thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for his service-connected scar of the right eyebrow and upper eyelid was denied by the Board. The effective date could not be set prior to October 3, 2006 due to lack of evidence showing the condition was symptomatic before that date.

The Board has granted service connection for fistulotomy residuals and a fistulotomy scar, but denied the claim for hearing loss. The Veteran is entitled to an initial noncompensable disability rating for his fistulotomy residuals.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, cholecystectomy, diabetes mellitus, scars, and gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted. The issue of service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, immune disorder, sinus disorder, and post-operative benign neck mass residuals including scars. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for acne vulgaris of the face, the neck, and shoulders and right forearm nummular eczema remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and scar of the back did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and also denied his request for an increased disability rating for his left hand dorsum scars.