Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee scar does not result in any functional limitation of his left knee or leg, and therefore, does not warrant a separate compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, his multiple surgical scars warrant a separate compensable rating of 10 percent, and service connection for MS is granted. The issues regarding new and material evidence to reopen the claim for MS are addressed.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scars of the frontal region of the head, face, nose and right lower quadrant is being remanded due to a need for additional development. The current rating remains at noncompensably disabling.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's left tibia tender scar, currently rated at 10 percent. The VA found that there was no evidence of instability or functional impairment.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1971 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable rating for the veteran's right deltoid area scar. The current schedular criteria do not meet the requirements for a compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, effective from August 30, 2002. The veteran was granted a compensable rating for his left malar fracture residuals and left forearm hematoma residuals as of August 30, 2002. His right knee scar remains noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and internal scarring are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, including those from Kaiser Permanente, Charleston Weapons Station Clinic, and Charleston Naval Hospital. A VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between her current conditions and her service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his employability status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have an employment handicap prior to September 5, 2003 and therefore does not meet the criteria for retroactive entitlement to Vocational Rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, or the medication used to treat these disabilities, caused or contributed to his death from vascular thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scars do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's shell fragment wound scars to the right knee have not met the criteria for a compensable rating since August 30, 2002.

The VA determined that the veteran's facial scars secondary to acne vulgaris warranted a 30 percent rating, effective from June 24, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions and assigned initial compensable ratings, with the exception of irritable bowel syndrome which remains noncompensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the back and left leg, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The veteran's left index finger scar has been manifested by no more than subjective complaints of minor numbness, and is well-healed and healthy appearing. The Board finds that a compensable rating for the condition is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches, a chronic back disorder, acne vulgaris (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange), scars (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange), asthma, and a 'gland problem' (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange). The RO denied service connection for these conditions in March 1982.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for prostate cancer, impotence, and a scar of the forehead was denied. The veteran is currently rated at noncompensable levels for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition and right index finger scar in April 1988. The claims of reopening the skin disorder claim are reopened, but the new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected third-degree burn scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.