Scars decisions — 2000

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's residual scar, status-post excision of a pilonidal cyst. The VA found that there was no evidence of ulceration or poorly nourished scars, and the slight numbness did not limit function.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's shell fragment wounds of the right upper thigh, left upper leg, and forehead/neck. The current evaluations are 30%, noncompensable, and 10% respectively.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee condition is proximately due to or the result of his inservice shell fragment wound and service connection for a right knee condition is granted.

The veteran died of cardiovascular disease due to hypertension. His service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right foot condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for pyuria and a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 for multiple noncompensable disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of current disablement or interference with normal employability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, malunion of the mandible with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, a laceration scar of the left ear, and dental trauma for compensation purposes. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment compatible with his work experience and education, thus meeting the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right hip disability and related scars, but denied increased ratings for his right knee disability.

The VA has granted a 10% rating for the scar, residual of an exploratory laparotomy, but denied all other increased rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for pension benefits based on non-service-connected disabilities, finding that his original claim was abandoned due to his failure to respond to repeated requests for information from VA.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical services provided during his hospitalizations is denied as not well-grounded because the treatment was not for a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of vision secondary to his service-connected pterygium and for a compensable disability evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the visual problems to the service-connected condition, and that the criteria for a 10% rating were not met.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's hiatal hernia and scars, but denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his hearing loss. The hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to symptoms including pyrosis (heartburn) and substernal chest pain. The scars are rated at 10 percent due to tenderness on palpation. The veteran's hearing loss, however, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including a scar on his forehead, mononeuropathy and atrophy of the right lower extremity, and perforation of the left tympanic membrane. The issues are related to direct service connection without any presumption or secondary basis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to perform daily functions or substantially confined as a result of his service-connected conditions, thus denying special monthly compensation in the form of aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The veteran's employer placed him on leave without pay due to his service-connected back disability, preventing him from working as a letter carrier. The combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 40 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right lower extremity disability, shell fragment wound scars is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.