Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right thumb and residuals of a right thumb injury with angulation defect and osteoarthritis are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings for residuals of a gunshot injury of the left forearm and abdominal scars, indicating satisfaction with current ratings.

The Veteran's scar, SFW, of the lower left leg is rated as 10 percent disabling. Additionally, he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for his moderately severe disability of Muscle Group XII associated with this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids, scars, and back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired flat foot disability of the right foot, varicose veins with thrombosis, and dermatitis and residual scarring of the right lower leg are all related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected facial acne with scars and keloid acne on chest is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7828-7800. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips) or with four or five characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted an initial non-compensable rating for a left upper lip scar. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and partial median neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected inner lower lip scar, traumatic brain injury, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and chest and left lower extremity scars were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his erectile dysfunction or scars.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their direct effects, with a rating of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability. The other conditions are not rated separately as they are considered part of the overall cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, effective September 8, 2008. The claim for a higher initial rating remains pending and is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative joint disease resulted in a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's caesarean section scar is painful and meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, allowing for SMC based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the procedural aspects and a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination for the neck scar.

The Veteran's pre-existing residuals of abdominal stab wound with exploratory laparotomy were not aggravated by active service, and any currently diagnosed stab wound residuals are not shown to be otherwise related to a disease, injury, or event in service.