Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of recurrent DFSP and associated scarring, as he has alleged worsening in these conditions since his last examination.

The Veteran's right heel scar and laceration with damage to the Achilles tendon insert are currently rated at 10 percent each, but he is seeking higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation of his left lateral epicondyle scar was denied, and the Board found no evidence to support a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The case also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a schizophreniform disorder (claimed as a nervous condition), but did not reach this issue due to the denial of the initial evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck scars and migraine headaches were denied, while his claims for right knee and left knee disabilities were granted with initial non-compensable disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye vision loss and left eye disability, including myopic astigmatism, macular scar with sclerotic cataracts. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for the scar on his right hand was granted, with the effective date set at March 10, 2006.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his post-operative scar is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar due to a stab wound to the left chest. The claim of service connection for hepatitis C is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for scar, residual of abdominal surgery has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left buttock and right flank area with retained metallic fragments are currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 8, 2008. The Board found that these scars do not meet criteria for a higher rating as they do not cause functional impairment or require frequent hospitalization.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a fee basis outpatient identification card due to the availability of geographically accessible VA facilities that can provide necessary psychiatric services, including at the St. Louis VAMC.

The Board found that the RO's calculation of the Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent was correct in the October 2005 decision and denied the appeal as there is no entitlement to a greater benefit under the law.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left parotidectomy scars, rated as 10 percent disabling from August 8, 2003, and rated as 30 percent disabling from August 11, 2008, is denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's left eye disability, effective as of March 4, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at the scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now service-connected for the conditions listed. He also received compensable disability ratings for his shell fragment scars of the feet and residual burn scarring of the right inner ankle. However, he did not receive a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right medial foot and calf.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extension of the period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services due to his ability to overcome employment handicaps and his current capabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.