Scars Board decisions

The Veteran developed a painful keloid scar as the result of a December 1978 epigastric hernia surgical repair performed at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. The Board finds that this additional disability was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be incurred during service.,The Veteran's facial scar is found to be incurred during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 2, 2012 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for a scar of the right knee. The Veteran's claim was not reopened as he did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied low back disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and private medical records. Additionally, new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an initial compensable rating for a residual left leg scar, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle scar status post arthroscopy, effective from March 19, 2014. The condition is rated under the general provisions for scars as it does not meet the criteria for an unstable or painful scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hernia repair and associated residuals, to include residual scarring and right ilio-inguinal neuralgia, are denied. The Veteran does not have scars that meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear scar has been rated as noncompensable (0%) prior to March 22, 2011 and 10% thereafter. He was granted a separate 10% rating for painful scars in December 2014 but denied a higher rating on both issues since the effective date of his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a fractured jaw, including limitation of jaw function (other than residuals of fracture of left zygomatic arch; with a patch of hypesthesia on the left cheek) was granted. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied all claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection have been referred back to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury. The Veteran's scar of the right knee is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the rating for a painful right knee ganglionectomy scar prior to December 28, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the propriety of the disability ratings assigned for her service-connected lumbar spine and left leg conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that Agent Orange exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability subject to service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and is rated at 50 percent effective October 6, 2009.,Service connection for a scar on the right hand was also granted. The Veteran experiences pain in this area when exposed to sunlight.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's right cheek scar to his active service, including a 1973 assault. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right cheek scar was denied. For the left index finger laceration, the Board noted that the disability is currently rated at 10 percent and there are no additional factors warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's frontal bone fracture with scarring was rated at 30 percent, headaches at 50 percent, and major depressive disorder with memory loss at 70 percent combined to a total of 90 percent. However, the Veteran's symptoms prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected skin condition is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the percentage of body area affected by his scars.