Scars decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied an increased rating for a scar, residual of a gunshot wound on the right side of the nose, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar of the right anterior chest was granted, but he is not entitled to a higher rating. His hepatitis and depression are rated as 30 percent and 10 percent disabling respectively, meeting the criteria for a permanent and total disability pension rating.

The veteran's appeal is for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the impact of his disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for post-operative residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, but denied an increased rating for tender scar and paresthesia of the right leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, an increased rating for tinea pedis, and an increased rating from initial grant of service connection for scar, right anterior tibia. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cysts, scarring, and a skin disorder as secondary to Agent Orange exposure was denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to Agent Orange exposure or any other incident of service. For PTSD, the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent was also denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for her appendectomy scar and service connection for residuals of an ectopic pregnancy. The claim for service connection regarding a cesarean section birth is pending as there are no post-service medical records confirming when or if she had such surgery.

The veteran's service-connected residual scarring of the left eye from metallic fragments is currently manifested by a small inferocentral scar on the epithelium measuring 1 millimeter in diameter, and does not result in impairment of visual acuity or field loss, pain, rest-requirements, or episodic incapacity. The Board finds that there is no basis for attributing loss of vision or other impairment to the left eye scarring.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 1999, for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his employment during the relevant period did not meet the criteria for marginal employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease and sepsis, which was listed as a contributory factor on the veteran's death certificate. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The veteran's residual scar, left lower lip, is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected nasal disability and scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the evidence did not relate any current skin disorders to exposure to Agent Orange or provide 'a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the origin' of any such disorders.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post tube thoracotomy for inter-thoracic injury with tender scars is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development of his medical records and an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an appendectomy, to include a scar or scars, and for cervical strain. The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is remanded due to the failure to issue a statement of the case.

The veteran's service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities do not permanently and totally preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as determined by VA examinations and private medical records. Therefore, his claim for pension benefits is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, injuries to the right upper extremity including shell fragment wound scar, and scars on the right thigh and left knee.