Scars decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for head scars was also denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence of PTSD and concluded that the current level of disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left elbow and granted a 10 percent rating for a gunshot wound scar of the left forearm, resulting in a mixed decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing chest and abdomen scars were aggravated by service, allowing for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for his scar residual from excision of dermal fibroma of the left little finger, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of nephrolithotomy (kidney stones) do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a back injury with sciatica, lateral recess stenosis, and right thigh pain are rated at 60 percent. The residuals of his right lower leg shrapnel wound are rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for a burn scar of the right upper arm, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating based on tenderness or pain. The loss of motion was attributed to another condition and not related to the scar.

The veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation is granted, as he meets the criteria for an intermediate rate between 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(m) and (n). However, he does not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation under other provisions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating, and his combined nonservice-connected disability rating is 20 percent. Therefore, he does not qualify for a permanent and total disability pension.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's scar of the left lower eyelid with a retained metallic fragment, finding that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches as secondary to a shell fragment wound and for increased ratings for his shell fragment wounds. The veteran was not granted service connection for headaches, but his existing service-connected conditions were evaluated.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for cerebral concussion with headaches, residual SFW scar on the scalp, or cervical arthritis. For the compensable evaluation of SFW residuals of the left chest, there was no tenderness or functional impairment. Multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to September 12, 1997 did not interfere with employment. The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) was denied due to his health conditions.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a left parotid gland excision from November 20, 1996 to the present. The UTI was evaluated at 40 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, right eye injury residuals, hypertension, stomach disorder, and skin disorders are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right thumb condition, assigning a 30 percent rating effective April 1, 1996. The veteran's condition is characterized by pain and limited motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint with degenerative changes.

The veteran's death was not directly related to service or any of his service-connected disabilities, but he was continuously rated as totally disabled for more than 10 years immediately preceding his death. The claim for payment of certain accrued benefits on death of a beneficiary under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5121 is held in abeyance pending completion of the development requested.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety reaction and chronic low back pain, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment compatible with his training and experience.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tooth number 9, a compensable evaluation for his fracture of the nasal bone, and an increased evaluation for his laceration scar of the left cornea. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The veteran is seeking restoration of his previously assigned disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and surgical scar due to diskectomy. The RO reduced these ratings, and the Board has determined that further evaluation is necessary before making a decision.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, as he requires assistance due to his psychiatric condition.