Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected amputation scar of the right fifth toe does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it is tender to palpation and covers an area less than 12 square inches. The current rating of 10 percent remains in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and granted noncompensable ratings for burn scars on the right arm, right elbow bursitis, and syringomyelia. The veteran was not granted increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for keloid scars of the left foot and a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left femur scar is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's disability from residual scar from excision of pilonidal cyst is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected scars of the left tibia was granted, with a current rating of 10 percent. The decision is based on the merits and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has granted increased ratings for several service-connected disabilities, bringing the combined rating to 60 percent. The veteran's disabilities now preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected duodenal bulb deformity with scarring from previous duodenal ulcer disease and malnutrition, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the August 1950 rating decision, continuing a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right ankle disability, was not clear and unmistakable error. The correct facts as they were known at the time were before the adjudicator, and the statutory or regulatory provisions extant at the time were correctly applied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the upper one-third left tibia, Muscle Group XI, with debridement and residual surgical scar is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and need for additional information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural errors and new examinations are required.

The VA determined that the veteran's active chloracne is minimal and has resolved, resulting in only residual pitted scars. The current evaluation of 10% under Diagnostic Code 7829 is appropriate given the inactive nature of his condition.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluations for right and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes, as well as her left temple scar, have been granted.

The veteran's service-connected scar, residuals of a shell fragment wound, right thigh, is now rated as noncompensable. The scar at the back of his head remains noncompensable. His service-connected shell fragment wounds are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling each. Headaches are also rated as 10 percent disabling. Service connection for a right knee disorder has been granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected scar on the lower lip, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The veteran's service connection for third degree burn scars of the left foot has been granted, but the extent and location of the scarring are unclear. The RO must clarify this in order to properly evaluate his disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his claim for an increased disability rating for scarring as a residual of a shell fragment wound to the penis. The VA will provide additional assistance in obtaining evidence, including medical records and examinations, and will then readjudicate the case.

The VA denied initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right and left hand shell fragment wound scars with posttraumatic degenerative joint disease of the wrist, finding that his conditions did not warrant such higher ratings based on the current evidence.