Scars Board decisions

The veteran's claims for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied as the evidence does not show that his VA hospital care, surgical or medical treatment caused him to have a greater degree of depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected adenitis with one enlarged gland on the right side of the neck and scars over the dorsum of both hands as residuals of wounds do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy, depression, hepatitis B, appendectomy scar, skin rash, hemorrhoids, right wrist keloid, epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, impotency, colon disorder, anemia, and sinusitis. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XVII, right and left buttocks, as well as traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, do not warrant increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the combined service-connected disability rating is correctly calculated as 50 percent. The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for scar contracture of the left eyelid, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no evidence of unemployability prior to May 2, 1996.

The veteran's scars of the right thumb and left knee are found to be service-connected. The veteran's DeQuervain's tendinitis, right thumb, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disorder, identified as a residual corneal scar, was incurred during service. The right elbow disorder is not related to service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. Hypertension existed prior to entry into service and did not increase in severity during service.

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.