Scars decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his shell fragment wound scars of the left cheek and buttocks. The RO is directed to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine if he has any of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left thigh disability, characterized as a scar with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve syndrome, warrants a 10 percent rating. The initial 10 percent rating is granted.

The veteran's burn scars of the right thigh and leg are currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7801.,The veteran's burn scars of the left thigh and leg are currently rated at 30 percent, which is within the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7801.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracotomy and laparotomy scars, effective from September 9, 1991. The veteran also received a 10 percent disability rating for his residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest and abdomen with laceration of the liver and kidney.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for increased ratings for ulnar neuropathy, left index finger fracture residuals, hemorrhoids, and a laceration of the left upper thigh. The disability ratings have been increased to 10 percent each.

The veteran's puncture wound scar of the upper back is currently rated as non-compensable. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating at this time.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right ulnar neuropathy and a 10 percent rating for the residual scar of the right forearm, effective from February 2000.

The veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh with retained foreign bodies do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for malaria and a noncompensable rating for the shell fragment wound residual neck scar due to lack of competent evidence demonstrating current disabilities or residuals from these conditions.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes arthritis, instability, and post-surgical scarring.

The Board found that the veteran's left-sided facial scarring was a necessary consequence of proper treatment for pre-orbital cellulitis, and denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The VA determined that the veteran's scar on his left fourth finger does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation guidelines.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg (Group XI), and scar from a right hand gunshot wound were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for any compensable evaluations under the applicable VA rating schedules.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his postoperative scar of the right lower quadrant abdominal abscess and determined that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his service connection claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The VA denied a compensable disability evaluation for the veteran's scar of the right forearm, which was not found to meet the criteria for any higher rating based on muscle or nerve damage.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a generalized skin disorder related to his service and denied his claim for an increased evaluation of a laceration scar of the left forehead.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a left forearm scar and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine (claimed as a low back condition) must be remanded due to inadequate notice, incomplete application, and need for additional development.