Scars Board decisions

The Board found that there is no evidence of a left eye disability during service, and the current retina macular scarring is not related to any in-service event or condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening a claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back injury, an increased rating for a laceration scar of the right index finger, and an increased rating from an original grant of service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence did not support reopening any of these claims.

The veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, a right hip disorder, and a skin condition (including scars) on the basis of herbicide exposure were granted. The veteran also received higher initial ratings for PTSD and dermatophytosis and tinea pedis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to report for a scheduled VA examination and Travel Board hearing. The RO needs to clarify the veteran's current address and schedule a new hearing.

The Board found that the effective dates for the grants of service connection and rating for right foot idiopathic neuropathy, right leg scar, and left ring finger tendon rupture residuals are fixed at June 13, 2001. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no pending claim prior to June 13, 2001 that could have resulted in the grants of service connection or rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for residuals of breast surgery, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found that the veteran knowingly submitted false representations in his claim for VA benefits, leading to forfeiture of his rights and claims. The decision denied the forfeiture action.

The Board found that the veteran's current arrhythmias and premature ventricular contractions are related to his service-connected PTSD, specifically due to myocarditis caused by scarlet fever during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right cornea scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines, and thus denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The RO denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted the veteran increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist fracture, left leg muscle injury due to gunshot wound, and left leg gunshot wound scar. The nasal septum deviation is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected scar and status post inguinal herniorrhaphy have been rated, but the current ratings are not higher than what is allowed under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and right index finger scar residual. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for the scar was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his renal cyst, hemorrhoids, and scars. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and tooth loss, finding no evidence of such disabilities being incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has requested an independent medical expert (IME) opinion and the veteran submitted additional argument and evidence. The case is being remanded to the RO for further review of the issues on appeal, including all evidence submitted since the February 2005 supplemental statements of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, including chronic lumbar strain and lumbar disc protrusion, was incurred in service.,The Board also found that the scars of the left shoulder were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for an operculated (retinal) tear of the eye and a left eye scar were denied as there is no objective medical evidence to support these conditions.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for his chin scar was granted, with a 10% evaluation effective October 24, 1994. The other service connection claims were not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent evaluation for his left shoulder disability.