Scars Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were granted, with the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent assigned for each issue.

The veteran's burn scars of the left and right legs are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scar and gunshot wound residuals have been rated as 10 percent disabling since September 12, 1995. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms and do not warrant a higher evaluation.,A separate 10 percent rating is in effect for arthritis of the left shoulder.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VA examinations.

The veteran's service-connected heart disability does not cause any functional limitations, and thus he is not shown to have an employment handicap. As a result, the need for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 has not been demonstrated.

The Board has determined that the veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for post-operative scars as a residual of surgery for hammertoes, which was previously denied in April 1957. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of frostbite of the feet or facial scars as a result of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his suicide was not caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for encephalomyelopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his scars did not meet criteria for higher ratings and that there was insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for a heart disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum. The appeal regarding an initial compensable rating for his service-connected appendectomy scar is dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate for rating purposes and has ordered additional records to be obtained, including Social Security Administration records. The appellant needs a comprehensive VA examination to evaluate his service-connected right calf muscle injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his chemical burn scars and laceration scar, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as a matter of law due to the revised criteria for evaluating tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her scar of the left breast and tendonitis of the left wrist have been denied as there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating under current VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected injuries, including a depression fracture of the occipital region of the skull and multiple shrapnel wounds to various parts of his body, have resulted in chronic conditions such as post-traumatic headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and scars. These findings support granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for residuals of a fracture to C2 and displacement of C1, scars of the forehead, and skull indentations as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected mixed deafness of the right ear, effective from October 29, 1944. The decision also addressed his service-connected chronic suppurative otitis media, right with mastoidectomy scar and assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder and laparotomy scar were not caused or aggravated by his military service. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his service-connected disabilities did not materially contribute to his death. The appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.