Scars decisions — 2004

The veteran's death was due to hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time of his death, he had service-connected disabilities rated at 90 percent combined evaluation. The Board found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% total rating due to service-connected disability continuously for ten years prior to death or five years from discharge.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's pilonidal cystectomy scar and increased the rating for his left shoulder disorder to 10 percent, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.

The VA treatment for the veteran's left eye injury did not result in any additional disability, and his current vision loss is attributed to the original injury rather than the surgical procedure.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA ophthalmological examination to determine her ability to wear glasses or contact lenses.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for a surgical scar of the left hip and for a higher combined disability evaluation for service-connected disabilities. The veteran is not entitled to these increased evaluations based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's disabilities. The claims will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and employment history information.

The Board found that the service-connected anxiety disorder and PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to the veteran's death from pneumonia complicated by toxic epidermal necrolysis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA dermatology examination and considering whether separate disability ratings are appropriate. The veteran's acne vulgaris with facial scarring will be evaluated under the new skin regulations effective August 30, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected multiple residual burn scars of both feet. The RO has requested additional evidence and development, including a VA examination, to consider the claim under both the former and revised applicable criteria for rating scars.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's service-connected scarring and rheumatoid arthritis, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his service-connected scar, forehead and head trauma with headaches.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right wrist condition is rated at 40%, PTSD at 30%, and the left forearm condition at 10%. No other conditions or issues received a rating.

The Board denied a rating higher than the current 10 percent for scarring of the right leg, finding that the veteran's scars are superficial and not deep or unstable, with no functional impairment.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and seeks initial compensable evaluations. The case is being remanded to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and to provide a VA examination for her back condition.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection for facial, chest, and back scars as residuals of basal cell carcinoma. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for the facial scars and noncompensable ratings for the chest and back scars.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from January 7-10, 2001 was denied because the services were not provided in a VA facility and no VA facilities were feasibly available to provide care. The cardiovascular condition was not service-connected at the time of hospitalization.