Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, malaria, post-malaria syndrome, and a scar on his left shin. The decision is final as it was based on a previous denial of the same claim in September 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye area scar and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a lateral right eye area laceration, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service records.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating on the initial service-connected residual scarring from penile implant.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 1999. The veteran's residuals of head trauma with associated headaches are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar was denied by the RO, as there is no evidence of ulceration or limitation of function that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for recurrent callus formation of the right foot with postoperative scars, finding no current medical evidence supporting this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO found that he met the schedular criteria for such a rating, but the examinations did not address whether his unemployability was solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right thigh donor scar does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his combined schedular rating remains at 40 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a genitourinary scar, status post meatus mass removal due to lack of evidence showing significant impairment or disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical information concerning the severity of his service-connected right hand and forearm scars.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for temporary total ratings based on periods of residence at COPIN in 1990 and denied his claim for annual clothing allowance for 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected osteoid osteoma of the left femur, duodenal ulcer, and surgical scar of the left thigh are denied. The ROIC will need to review all evidence added since the last decision.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected defective vision of the left eye with corneal scars does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected scars due to lacerations of the face and right eye, finding that the condition is primarily manifested by several slight scars on the forehead, a barely visible scar over the right eye, a slightly visible scar on the upper lip, and moderately disfiguring scarring on the nose. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support an increase in the disability rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses for private care rendered on May 24, 1999 due to lack of authorization and because the treatment was not in a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to life or health.

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to May 26, 1999 for a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disability. The RO has granted this claim but only based on evidence of unemployability dated in August 1981, which was not considered when the May 1984 decision severed service connection for his psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar beneath the right eyebrow and an increased disability evaluation of 20 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected VA death pension benefits and entitlement to accrued benefits due to a lack of pending claims at the time of the veteran's death. The claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is addressed in the remand portion.