Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of service connection for post-traumatic brain tumors, a cerebral aneurysm, or laceration scars on the head. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 24, 2003, for service connection due to CUE in a September 1971 rating decision. The claim was related to residuals of a pilonidal cyst with a tender scar.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability, and the veteran's claim for service connection for scar residuals on the back of the skull cannot be substantiated as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for his service-connected left calf scar with myositis and injury to Muscle Group XI due to lack of cooperation in scheduling examinations.

The veteran's shrapnel wound scars of the left neck, left arm, and left chest are manifested by a scar on the left neck that measures at least 1 centimeter (cm) by 1.8 cm and other small, superficial nontender scars. The Board finds the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation have been met from August 30, 2002.

The veteran's increased rating claims for residuals of a right knee injury, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and appendectomy scar were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's fasciotomy scar and right gastrocnemius muscle injury are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The veteran's left index finger scar is rated as non-compensable due to the absence of objective evidence of limitation of function or pain. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in a final decision, but new and material evidence has been submitted raising the possibility that the condition may have been aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected left eye disability, characterized by a corneal scar and associated foreign body sensation, has been rated at 10 percent since June 25, 1991. The VA examiner found no evidence of recurrent corneal abrasions but noted the presence of microcysts consistent with such. The veteran's need for frequent lubrication and occasional rest periods is considered in his current rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, facial scars, and headaches. The combined evaluation of these conditions is at 70 percent.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30% for the scar on the back of the neck and a 10% evaluation for the skin condition involving the scalp. The claim for service connection for hypertension was also granted, but secondary to the service-connected scar.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected fibroid scarring of the right lung did not cause or contribute to his death from respiratory failure and ARDS.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the head, service connection for disability manifested by blurred vision, and service connection for disability due to a neck injury. The veteran's current eye abnormalities were not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has a diagnosed low back disorder, and there is sufficient evidence to support service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left eye scar remains pending as it lacks current disability documentation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right groin scar and an initial compensable evaluation for paresthesias and dysfunction in the right ilioinguinal nerve. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation to the left foot and ankle disability effective June 30, 1995.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor as a result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for VCAA notice and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the right arm scars.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for ilioinguinal nerve neuroma and assigned a separate 10 percent evaluation for the scar, right hernia repair. The veteran's service connection claim was not based on exposure to any specific agent or presumption.