Scars decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the left popliteal area and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective October 13, 1992. The veteran's claim was initially denied but later reopened due to new evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected burn scars of the right foot and ankle, but granted a noncompensable rating for status post excision of carcinoma of the right foot. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee and scars of the left knee are not well-grounded, as his current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a scar of the right knee and a right knee joint disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran was not granted any new evaluations or benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's shrapnel wound scar of the right hip does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's laceration scar on the left upper eyelid is not considered disfiguring or symptomatic enough to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and nose scars, as well as his claim for service connection for hearing loss. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chin scar and an increased rating for PTSD. The denial is based on insufficient evidence to establish that the current chin scar was incurred in service, and it is also noted that there are no medical records available from his period of active duty.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and a higher rating for residuals of a right leg shell fragment wound, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for partial neuropathy of the left 5th (trigeminal) cranial nerve and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a scar on the left chin.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to insufficient evidence of an inservice stressor leading to PTSD, and because his combined disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The VA has determined that a noncompensable rating is not warranted for the service-connected second degree burn scar on the right flank.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his subepithelial scar of the left cornea and a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence resulting from surgery performed in October 1996, as there was no legal entitlement to either benefit.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for the chin laceration scar.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his scar of the left upper eyelid and for a compensable evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to suggest that these conditions clearly interfere with normal employability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were not well-grounded due to lack of evidence showing additional disability was caused by VA negligence or fault.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for urinary tract infection, disability manifested by scrotal pain, disability manifested by testicular pain, hip disability, ankle disability, right foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, or Crohn's disease. Service connection is granted for laceration scars of the right arm and chin.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected laceration scars on the face was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and pes planus, do not preclude him from participating in all types of substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and occupational experience.