Scars Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left eye pterygium is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA ophthalmological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the veteran's service-connected conditions. The issues of initial compensable evaluations for hypertensive heart disease and a residual scar from left inguinal hernia repair will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected postoperative ruptured patellar tendon of the left knee and postoperative scars of the left knee.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The right elbow arthritis was rated at the maximum allowable under the old criteria, and the left eye scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and increased disability evaluations for his residual scar of a shrapnel wound to the neck and residuals of a shrapnel wound to Muscle Group XXIII, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD, and there is no evidence of current disabilities involving shrapnel wounds or scarring to the right knee, upper lip and sinus. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for authorization of ongoing non-VA (fee basis) treatment, finding that massage therapy or reflexology is not reasonable and necessary medical treatment.

The VA denied the veteran's requests for increased evaluations for his service-connected scars of the right hand and forearm, both rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of his in-service pneumonia, including a right lung scar, that were incurred in or aggravated by active service and are related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a bilateral mandibular osteotomy, including loss of teeth and secondary surgical scars. The issue of aggravation of malocclusion was also addressed but not specified in the decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected shell fragment wound scar of the left foot is being remanded due to incomplete notification and evidence, necessitating further examination and development.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected internal scarring from two cesarean sections. The veteran's condition meets the criteria for this benefit.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, residuals of arthroplasties of the right and left 5th toes, hypertension, a scar of the abdomen, and blood in the urine. The veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to noise during active duty.

The veteran's death was due to hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time of his death, he had service-connected disabilities rated at 90 percent combined evaluation. The Board found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% total rating due to service-connected disability continuously for ten years prior to death or five years from discharge.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's pilonidal cystectomy scar and increased the rating for his left shoulder disorder to 10 percent, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.

The VA treatment for the veteran's left eye injury did not result in any additional disability, and his current vision loss is attributed to the original injury rather than the surgical procedure.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA ophthalmological examination to determine her ability to wear glasses or contact lenses.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for a surgical scar of the left hip and for a higher combined disability evaluation for service-connected disabilities. The veteran is not entitled to these increased evaluations based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's disabilities. The claims will be remanded to the RO for further action.