Scars Board decisions

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for macular scar with a scotoma of the right eye, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on its size and location.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that the January 1985 rating decision is final and does not contain CUE. The June 1997 grant of service-connected benefits was based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the veteran's suspected glaucoma is related to his service-connected corneal scar, right eye. The RO should schedule a VA examination and adjudicate both the increased rating claim for corneal scar, right eye and the secondary service connection claim for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left eye injury, including a chorioretinal scar and reduced vision, are service-connected as they can be traced back to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his abdominal scar and to determine whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids and anal fissure. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the service-connected left leg burn scar residuals, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected scars do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they are superficial and do not cause any reported symptoms such as pain, swelling, or numbness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residual scars on his head and back, finding no evidence of a nexus to active duty service.

The veteran's service-connected post-concussion syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted service connection for a scar tissue of the right leg as a residual of a laceration wound. The claim for chronic disability of heat exhaustion was denied.

The Board denied service connection for an ulcer disorder, headaches, and a knee disorder. The veteran's scarlet fever was not found to be related to her military service. Service connection for a back disorder was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence that they contributed to his death. The medical records do not show a causal connection between the veteran's renal failure and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging an eye examination to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's eye disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for lung scarring, finding that it was incurred in active service. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic acquired respiratory disorders (COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia) is now considered as well.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, burn scars of the face and hands, and head injury residuals. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the December 1969 rating decision denying service connection for a right eye disorder did not involve clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wounds residuals is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is denied. The RO will obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding private medical records from his treating physician to determine if there has been a worsening of his hypertension and hand condition.