Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left thigh scars do not meet the criteria for service connection or higher ratings, respectively.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied burial benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further processing due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear disability, including hearing loss and a residual scar behind his left ear, warrants a 10 percent rating. The veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available for chronic suppuration due to his service-connected left ear disability under Diagnostic Code 6200.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right toe disability and service connection for his right toe scars are both pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the provision of all relevant medical records.

The veteran's service connection claim for non-scar residuals of a right thigh infection and his increased rating claim for the scar of the right thigh were both denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including obtaining recent medical records and a VA examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected left hip disorder and scar of the left buttocks.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards of service connection for ankylosis of the left ring finger and a scar above the left anterior abdominal wall were denied as there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from active service, leading to denial in 1955. The RO granted service connection on December 9, 2002, but the veteran sought an earlier effective date which was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a compensable disability rating in any of the issues on appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran's current abdominal hernias and scars are not compensable disability resulting from VA medical treatment in July 2001, as there is no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and there is no evidence that PTSD caused the suicide.

The veteran's initial disability rating for thorocotomy and mediastinoscopy scars is denied, but he is granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for his left hilar mass (etiology unknown) with positive group G streptococcus sputum culture.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude the performance of all types of substantially gainful employment, thus denying a total evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not supported by evidence, as his service-connected anxiety disorder does not require such assistance.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board found that a separate compensable schedular rating is not warranted for the veteran's post operative right thigh scar. The case is being remanded to consider an extraschedular rating due to disfigurement.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for scars on the back and face, bilateral hip disability (to include as secondary to service-connected right knee disability), rheumatoid arthritis of the chest, and loss of teeth. The veteran's claims are denied.