Scars Board decisions

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

The veteran's service-connected scar residuals of the right thigh, left forearm, and right thumb do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected osteoporosis of the humerus and postoperative residuals of a dislocation of the left shoulder, limitation of motion of the left shoulder, and surgical scar on the left shoulder. The current ratings are found to be appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The VA has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities and sleep disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a combined rating evaluation have been denied as the evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings beyond those currently assigned.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder and for obtaining any relevant treatment records.

The veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for his right index finger scar, effective February 23, 2001. The claimant contends that the effective date should be earlier due to injury in service and consistent application for increased compensation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's acne scarring and acne vulgaris do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of extensive exfoliation, crusting, systemic or nervous manifestations. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new skin disability rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burn scars to the buttocks, PTSD, and a low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence of current disabilities.,There is no current diagnosis of burn scars to the buttocks or PTSD.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected laparotomy, appendectomy, and ovarian cyst biopsy scar. The claim for an increased rating for TMJ remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for scars to the face and left shoulder, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to increased evaluation for scar of the nose. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and scars of the pubic area, right anterior abdomen, and post-operative residuals of warts were denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions warrant a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, granted accrued benefits based on an earlier effective date for PTSD, and denied DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and burial benefits.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his scar, post-surgical residual of gunshot wound, left forearm, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for scars above his left eye and a higher disability rating for his right fourth metacarpal fracture. The VA found that the scars did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and the fracture did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's hypertension and enlarged cervical lymph nodes were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to herbicide exposure. The effective date for the increased rating of 50 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound is set at September 28, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected right wrist disability and an initial compensable rating for a service-connected right wrist scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a rating of 60 percent for his service-connected left knee disorder, status post left knee replacement, from September 1, 1998 to March 6, 1999.