Scars Board decisions

The appellant's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his combined disability rating of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings on his varicose veins, disfiguring scars, limitation of motion in the cervical spine, and scars with neuropathy were all denied. The current ratings assigned are considered appropriate.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains pending.,For his tinnitus, an additional 10 percent rating has been granted on an extraschedular basis due to its severity.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Raphael's Hospital from January 15, 1998 to March 27, 1998 is denied as VA did not authorize the treatment and the veteran does not qualify under unauthorized medical expenses provisions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated appropriately, and the claims for increased ratings are granted.

The veteran's TDIU rating was awarded effective November 19, 1998. The Board found that the earliest point at which it could be factually ascertained that he was unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities was on a VA examination in November 1998.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, as required for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and left forearm shell fragment wound with scar do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule, thus denying his claims.

The veteran seeks a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO needs to conduct additional VA examinations and obtain medical records for the veteran's claim, including an examination of his physical disabilities and a psychiatric evaluation for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's postoperative recurrent pterygium of both eyes, finding that his vision did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to other underlying conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the left foot and a callus on the left great toe, both as residuals of injuries sustained during active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from preparing for, obtaining, or retaining suitable employment in his chosen field of catfish farming.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected second degree burn scars and hypersensitivity, burn scar areas do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from preparing for, obtaining, or retaining suitable employment in his chosen field of catfish farming.

The veteran's service-connected scar of the left side of the chin is granted. The veteran disagrees with the initial noncompensable rating assigned for his service-connected residual scar of the right ankle.

The RO confirmed and continued a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the left hand with scar, dislocation of the thumb. The appellant requested a separate evaluation for a tender and painful scar, but the RO did not provide the necessary rating criteria. The case is being remanded to correct this evidentiary defect.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis with postoperative scars, thoracotomy, and pulmonary fibrosis warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board denied increased evaluations for a laceration scar of the left leg and residuals of a fracture of the right humerus, finding that the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating schedules.

The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating are met due to additional functional limitation during flare-ups and objective findings of limited motion. A higher rating is not warranted based on severe impairment.