Scars Board decisions

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Harris Methodist Hospital on March 17, 2002 were denied because the treatment was not for an emergency condition and she did not meet other eligibility criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the veteran's service-connected PTSD and herpes-related skin disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids and a postoperative scar on the right breast, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing full-time employment as a recreational therapist, and thus he is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and scarring of the left lung as a result of pneumonia in service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals, exploratory laparotomy scar, status post removal of retroperitoneal dermoid cyst was denied as the disability has not worsened since February 1995.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of medical records from the Social Security Administration and readjudication of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) initial evaluation for shell fragment wound residuals, scarring of the cornea, right eye due to a dense, mature cataract on the right eye that prevented assessment of vision loss from any cause other than the cataract.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance with special adaptive equipment, or for special adaptive equipment only were denied due to the lack of service-connected permanent total disability. The veteran is already receiving a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for adaptive equipment or housing.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for facial scars and residuals of fractured mandible, as there was no evidence showing severe disfigurement or malunion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied all the issues related to increased ratings for various conditions of the veteran's left leg and knee, including shell fragment wounds and neuropathy. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing no more than moderate impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss disability and determined that the veteran did not have moderate impairment in his left great toe, lumbosacral strain, or ankle condition at any point since service connection was established. The postoperative residuals of a left tibial shaft fracture with limited motion of knee were also rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for impairment of the right elbow associated with residuals of the right forearm scar, effective from June 2004. The veteran's claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected burn scars and for service connection of a right arm disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's right hand conditions. The issues on appeal include compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of right thumb surgery, increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis and burn scars, and a temporary total rating based on convalescence from right hand surgery.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a scar in his right mandibular area, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 7800.