Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service, and the claimed conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, scars of the groin as residuals of fungal infection, myositis, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, appendectomy scar, and diabetes mellitus with complications are addressed in the Remand portion.

The appellant's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO must make arrangements for a comprehensive examination to evaluate the impact of all his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's combined evaluation of his service-connected disabilities is 50 percent from April 18, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition and residuals of a left inguinal hernia, finding that the current conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected residuals of a left ear infection with scarring of the tympanic membrane and left ear hearing loss, finding no legal basis for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left tibia fracture, high cholesterol, and scar of the right foot were granted.,Service connection was denied for chronic residuals of a left tibia injury, mitral valve prolapse, ventricular spasm, and heart fibrillation, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bowel syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a compensable evaluation. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia is inextricably intertwined and must be adjudicated before the increased rating claim can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, the claim was denied on the merits as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between any service-connected condition and the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a scar of the right deltoid has been granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder other than a scar of the right deltoid remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation for pseudofolliculitis barbae with facial scarring, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The earliest effective date that can be assigned is November 19, 2002.

The Veteran's death was not determined to be service-connected, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of evidence, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for her service-connected conditions was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal concerning a higher initial evaluation for adjustment disorder, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left leg radiculopathy, glans penis bifurcation, and scars, but referred his glans penis bifurcation claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and keratocanthoma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial compensable evaluations for hypertension and residuals of a scar on the left toe.