Scars Board decisions

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability and a more thorough evaluation of scars on the left arm.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 status post laminectomy, post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of gunshot wound of the anterior neck with paralysis of the left vocal cord, tracheotomy scars, and impaired respiration, sciatica of right lower extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity, have caused him to lose use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane, braces or wheelchair.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with chronic strain, but denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected acne with scarring. The claims for service connection for sleep disorder and spinal degenerative joint disease are being remanded.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the Veteran's scars and muscle herniation, as well as an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right lower lateral leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for facial scarring, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, pancreatitis, gout, visual impairment of the left eye, and hearing loss of the left ear as there was no competent medical evidence showing that these conditions were related to his service.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a diskectomy at L5-S1, to include a scar, based on orthopedic manifestations and incapacitating episodes.

The veteran's scars of the left hand, right leg, anterior throat, and scrotum do not cause limitation of motion of the affected areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for defective vision of the left eye with corneal scarring, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches and bilateral knee disability, are of sufficient severity to result in unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, right and left inguinal hernia scars, and residuals of left hand third and fourth metacarpal fractures. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a left orchiectomy with erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a right parietal scar that was painful or unstable, and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not sustain a right hand injury during service, and therefore denied service connection for a scar on the right hand.

The Veteran's first formal application for compensation was received in June 2002, within one year of the RO's sending of a VA Form 21-526 in October 2001, that was sent in response to the Veteran's informal claim that was received on March 28, 2001. The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher special monthly compensation rate on account of being in need of the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, nor were they sufficient to establish permanent housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, a degenerative condition of the skeletal system, and scars as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The appeal is remanded to the RO/AMC for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating, as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a temporary total rating based on hospitalization.

The case is remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication of the issues on appeal.