Scars decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle injury residuals, and right hand scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee did not develop due to service and is not related to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound. The rating for the scar was denied as it does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left foot disabilities, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for scars, for incision and drainage of abscess, left hand. The claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder is remanded.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities are the result of his own misconduct, specifically drinking alcohol to intoxication and driving a car. Therefore, he lacks legal merit for entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claims for an increased rating for tender exit site scar on the left lateral posterior foreleg and an earlier effective date for award of service connection, finding that he did not submit adequate and timely substantive appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the legs and a scar of the face, finding that there is competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active service. The claim for a skin disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and there is no further duty to assist in developing facts pertinent to these claims. The abdominal disorder was incurred in service, but the residuals of a nose fracture do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his post-operative pilonidal cyst and service connection for a back condition, including arthritis. The appellant was not granted any new disability ratings or benefits.