Scars decisions — 2001

The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations and eligibility for educational assistance, finding no new evidence to reopen service connection claims or establish entitlement. The low back condition was rated as noncompensable, chondromalacia of both knees as noncompensable, residuals of a left foot scar as noncompensable, and hallux valgus on the right as 10 percent disabling for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy, effective from August 25, 1996. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for his recurrent rectal abscesses.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased evaluation for any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The current 10 percent ratings are deemed appropriate based on the clinical findings and diagnostic codes applied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the veteran with examinations to assess his current disability status.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO affirmed the determinations previously entered and granted entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation of 10 percent for a SFW scar of the right hand.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a tender abdominal scar, and an increased evaluation for the service-connected gastrointestinal disorder. The veteran's ventral hernia and hemorrhoids are not found to be related to his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right flank scar, which resulted from a surgical procedure performed during service to treat a pre-existing kidney disorder, is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for service connection due to its nature being postoperative and ameliorative in nature.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury. The veteran's claims for neck or cervical disc injury, back injury, and back scars are denied as not established by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected perianal scar, status post fistulectomy with incontinence, warrants a disability rating of 60 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acne with scars was denied by the Board, as the current rating of 30 percent is deemed appropriate based on the severity and extent of his condition.

The veteran's claims for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied as the evidence does not show that his VA hospital care, surgical or medical treatment caused him to have a greater degree of depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected adenitis with one enlarged gland on the right side of the neck and scars over the dorsum of both hands as residuals of wounds do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy, depression, hepatitis B, appendectomy scar, skin rash, hemorrhoids, right wrist keloid, epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, impotency, colon disorder, anemia, and sinusitis. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XVII, right and left buttocks, as well as traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, do not warrant increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the combined service-connected disability rating is correctly calculated as 50 percent. The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for scar contracture of the left eyelid, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no evidence of unemployability prior to May 2, 1996.

The veteran's scars of the right thumb and left knee are found to be service-connected. The veteran's DeQuervain's tendinitis, right thumb, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disorder, identified as a residual corneal scar, was incurred during service. The right elbow disorder is not related to service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. Hypertension existed prior to entry into service and did not increase in severity during service.