Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease and sepsis, which was listed as a contributory factor on the veteran's death certificate. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The veteran's residual scar, left lower lip, is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected nasal disability and scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the evidence did not relate any current skin disorders to exposure to Agent Orange or provide 'a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the origin' of any such disorders.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post tube thoracotomy for inter-thoracic injury with tender scars is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development of his medical records and an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an appendectomy, to include a scar or scars, and for cervical strain. The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is remanded due to the failure to issue a statement of the case.

The veteran's service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities do not permanently and totally preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as determined by VA examinations and private medical records. Therefore, his claim for pension benefits is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, injuries to the right upper extremity including shell fragment wound scar, and scars on the right thigh and left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's acne scars, but denied service connection for his skin disorders (other than acne scars). The acne scars are found to be of service origin. However, there is no medical evidence establishing a causal link between the veteran's skin disorders and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is about her entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder, specifically scarring of the gums and infection of the gums, for purposes of receiving VA outpatient dental treatment. The RO should obtain additional records from Drs. Cara and Nishmura and conduct a VA examination to determine if any current dental disorders are related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for acne vulgaris and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound are both pending. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of excision of a basal cell epithelioma and scars on the head, face, and neck are now rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his scar on the anterior chest is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its impact on function and movement, including from a stroke.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since August 24, 1993. The effective date for the total rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability is set at August 24, 1993.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne and resulting residual facial scars, which he claims are due to Agent Orange exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected post-surgical abdominal scar and post-surgical hair transplantation scars, finding that the conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has denied all claims for increased ratings as the evidence does not support a compensable rating for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a 10% disability rating for the veteran's head scar, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the tinnitus is related to service. The head scar is rated at 10% based on moderate disfigurement.