Scars decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the head, hypertension, and triple bypass residuals. The denial was based on new and material evidence not being received to reopen the claim for a scar of the head.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ring finger scar as a residual of an in-service injury, and the claim is denied for any other residuals of the left hand injury involving the ring finger.

The veteran's service-connected healed scars on the forehead with a depressed area are currently rated at 30 percent, and his claim for an increased rating remains in appellate status. The cardiovascular disorder is separately evaluated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his duodenal ulcer, removal of a left lung cyst with resection of the eighth rib, and tender scar of the left axillary region.

The veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability prior to June 6, 2001 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing his occupation as a cook, and the occupation is not unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, including a scar of the left chest and residuals from shrapnel wounds to his shoulders. The major depressive disorder is also considered service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected amebic lung abscess, amebic liver disease, and thoracotomy scar are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and development.

The veteran's burn residuals of the left hand and left distal radius fracture injuries were evaluated, but neither condition met the criteria for a compensable or higher disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling an RO hearing before a hearing officer and a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after these hearings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA dermatological examination to assess the severity of the appellant's laceration scars under the new rating criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected pilonidal cystectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran is currently shown to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding his death. However, the appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits under section 1318 because the veteran did not have entitlement to compensation for a total rating for ten years prior to his death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted and assigned initial ratings.

The Board granted service connection for a shrapnel wound to the head and scar of the right posterior parietal scalp with retained foreign bodies. The veteran's claims for increased ratings were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudicative action, including addressing the issues of service connection for right leg pain and foot pain as secondary to service-connected thoracotomy.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected varicose veins and scar did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from end stage cardiomyopathy.