Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's scars of the face, nose and right cornea do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. Additionally, there is no separate rating for his loss of vision due to scarring as it is considered part of the service-connected scars.

The veteran's leg cramping and nerve damage are not service-connected, as they were not caused by VA medical treatment. The lower abdominal scar is rated at 10% due to tenderness on pressure only. The rectus sheath hernia has no current symptoms or functional limitations warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his scars and psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for a total rating on the basis of individual unemployability was granted by the RO in November 1999 with an effective date of February 2, 2000. The veteran appealed this decision and requested an earlier effective date. However, the Board found that the earliest possible effective date is November 26, 1997, when the veteran filed his claim for a total rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's residuals of a fracture of the left clavicle warrant a 20 percent disability rating.,For the period from January 16, 1995 through October 31, 2000, the appellant's residuals of a fracture of the left femur with left hip involvement and left leg shortening and scars of the left hip are rated at 20 percent. After November 1, 2000, they are rated at 10 percent.,For the period from January 16, 1995 through October 31, 2000, the appellant's residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula with ankle involvement are rated at 20 percent. After November 1, 2000, they are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals, fracture, fusion, cervical spine. The scar at the bone donor site on the left hip remains rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and entitlement to accrued benefits, finding that there was no evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to active service.

The veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a right eye disorder and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability arising from VA hospitalization in 1997, including left arm neuropathy. Service connection for phlebitis of the left forearm was granted with a noncompensable rating from December 22, 1997 to August 24, 1998 and denied thereafter.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for a scar on his lip and chin, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 31, 1997 for the award of a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's left fourth and fifth toe soft corn excision scar residuals.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's facial scars are rated at 30 percent disabling, effective March 31, 1993. A separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for painful scars of the face from June 16, 1998.,For his neck disability, a 20 percent rating is assigned since March 31, 1993.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected residual appendectomy scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gynecological disorders, including uterine prolapse, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, colporrhaphy, and pelvic adhesions with lower quadrant pain are not related to her period of active service. The appendectomy scar is also not productive of any functional impairment or symptomatology warranting a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 1, 1999, for the payment of additional compensation for his spouse and four children is denied. The VA awarded him a dependency allowance effective April 1, 1999, based on information provided by the veteran in April 1999.

The veteran's effective dates for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and TDIU were granted as of April 14, 2000.,His TDIU was also granted on September 25, 2000.

The Board denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for the service-connected left varicocele, residuals of fractures of the left great toe and left third toe, and scars of the mid-finger of the right hand and left axilla.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the residuals of a left parotid tumor resection with scar and facial asymmetry and right parotid tumor, as well as a compensable disability evaluation for internal hemorrhoids with a scar on the left buttock.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining service medical records and personnel files.