Scars Board decisions

The Board denied an increased initial evaluation for the service-connected scar, right anterior thigh, finding no evidence of pain, adhesions, ulceration, or loss of function due to the scar. The veteran's claim was evaluated under both the old and new rating criteria but ultimately denied as there is no basis in the record for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current left eye disorder, other than choroidal rupture with macular scar, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against granting service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's right eye disability, characterized by a large chorioretinal scar causing vision loss to 20/400 in the affected eye and 20/30 in the other, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6077.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected macular scar and any associated cataracts, including whether they are secondary to the macular scar.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for multiple scars of the left lower extremity, finding that the veteran's scars are well healed and do not exceed an area of 144 square inches.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was awarded a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. His right hip disability and chest pain were also granted service connection. The effective date of the award is July 8, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a miscarriage to include endometriosis and a hysterectomy, as well as for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, increased ratings for eczema and abdominal scar, and a higher rating for residuals of bladder repair with urinary incontinence and frequency are not supported by the evidence. The veteran does not have current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions as claimed.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his appendectomy scar, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and leg disorders, render him unable to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that he is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for shell fragment wound scars of his lower extremities, finding no evidence to support service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for status post resection of pituitary microadenoma and scars of the feet were denied.

The Board has granted an increased initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches, effective from the date of the May 2004 rating decision. The other issues remain pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of right common peroneal nerve injury are currently rated at 20 percent, and his post-operative scars on the right lower leg are rated at 10 percent. The appeal is granted for both issues.

The Board has determined that a separate compensable evaluation for the scar on the right lower anterior neck is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's service-connected scarring of the right tibial area, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left elbow scar, right wrist scars, and right leg scar. The TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for postoperative residuals of an excision of a meningioma with blindness of the left eye and surgical scarring, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The veteran's service-connected symptomatic scar of the right thigh is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on Diagnostic Codes 7801 or 7805, which are applicable to deep scars and limitation of function respectively.