Scars decisions — 2000

The veteran developed additional neurological disability as a result of VA medical treatment in April 1995, and his service-connected disabilities render him so nearly helpless that he requires the care and assistance of others on a regular basis. The Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for increased neurological disability is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran died from chronic renal failure, but his service-connected conditions did not cause or substantially contribute to his death. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for entitlement.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and thus denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left chest scars are currently rated at 10 percent, but denied his claim for a compensable disability rating for the scars of the left forearm and hand.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected burn scar on the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's initial ratings for bilateral varicose veins and pes planus have been granted, with a combined rating of 10 percent. The scar from breast cyst removal is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the saphenous vein is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The scars are not compensable under current criteria. The arterial graft of the left popliteal area has a current rating of 10 percent, effective January 24, 1997.,Prior to May 3, 1999, the veteran's service-connected left knee disability was rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257. From May 3, 1999, it is rated at 60 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's facial scars are well-healed and moderately disfiguring, not warranting a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's suicide by gunshot wound to the head was not related to any mental disorder during service, and there is no competent medical evidence demonstrating a relationship between his cause of death and any incident of service. The claim for service connection for the veteran's cause of death is denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings, and his disabilities are sufficient to render him unemployable.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a painful scar and postoperative residuals of meniscectomy, which he claims are related to his service-connected osteochondroma. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including a special surgical examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected burn scars and keloid scars have been denied. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar disabilities do not warrant increased ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected right forearm SFW residuals, with injuries to Muscle Group VIII and nerve damage. The effective date is August 21, 1991.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected corneal scar, right eye with iridectomy, cataract and traumatic glaucoma, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right eye macula scar and exotropia existed prior to service, were not aggravated by service, and granted service connection for right dry eyes. Service connection was denied for right refractive error.