Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted increased ratings for gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, right wrist disability, and appendectomy scar. The veteran's pancreatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's spinal stenosis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right leg disorder. The issue of left knee disorder with surgical scar remains pending, and the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are also pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employment capabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial compensable rating claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of a surgical scar on the right forearm is June 9, 2003. The veteran's earlier claims were not considered timely.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis B and C, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, increased rating for left varicocele, and increased rating for right inguinal hernia scar.

The veteran died of chondrosarcoma, and the Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his death or accelerated it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar on his lower back warrants a 10 percent rating, reflecting its impact on his range of motion and discomfort.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected status post scarification of right lung for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, effective June 6, 2005. The veteran is not entitled to a higher than 30 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to June 9, 2004 was granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent since June 9, 2004 was denied.

The veteran's initial compensable ratings for his left foot disability and scar of the left foot, residuals of a sesamoidectomy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scar is not painful upon examination and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7804, resulting in a denial of an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and CUE in a May 1994 rating decision, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The RO granted service connection for peroneal nerve palsy and a scar of the right knee with a 10% rating effective April 30, 2007.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his facial nerve palsy and scar, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's post-operative scar of the right groin, effective October 2, 2002.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right lower leg scar and a separate 10 percent evaluation for his graft donor site thigh scar, effective from June 6, 2006.

The Board granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for second and third degree burn scars on the left and right foreleg extensor aspect and dorsum of ankle and foot, effective from June 24, 1994. Separate 20 percent ratings were also assigned for complex regional pain syndrome of the lower extremities due to second and third degree burns.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability and scar were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. Therefore, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder and abdominal scars are not service-connected due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.