Scars Board decisions

The veteran's cause of death was service-connected, but the appellants are not eligible for Chapter 35 educational assistance benefits due to age requirements.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a hernia residual scar, service connection for an obstructive lung defect (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), and diabetes mellitus. The RO also referred the issue of seeking service connection on account of a left knee disability to the RO for appropriate action.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment as of May 22, 1997. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability. The RO granted service connection for left distal fibula fracture and closed reduction and external fixation tibia fracture with iliac crest bone graft, but denied other requested benefits.

The Board denied the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the appellant did not meet the criteria for such a rating. The appeal also included a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for compensation benefits for a right arm disorder, which was pending at the time of the decision.

The veteran's skin cancer claim is pending. The left breast scar and right hand disability claims have been denied.,The veteran's service-connected left breast scar has a current rating of 0%.

The Board denied increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either version of the applicable rating criteria.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his bilateral frozen feet, PTSD and right thigh gunshot wound disabilities.

The Board denied both claims for initial evaluations, finding that the veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on their current severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right wrist injury, a scar on his forehead, or broken teeth due to service. The VA examinations did not find any current disabilities related to these conditions. For the remaining claims for undiagnosed illnesses, there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the claimed disorders and service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied an increased rating for a scar, residual of a gunshot wound on the right side of the nose, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar of the right anterior chest was granted, but he is not entitled to a higher rating. His hepatitis and depression are rated as 30 percent and 10 percent disabling respectively, meeting the criteria for a permanent and total disability pension rating.

The veteran's appeal is for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the impact of his disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for post-operative residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, but denied an increased rating for tender scar and paresthesia of the right leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, an increased rating for tinea pedis, and an increased rating from initial grant of service connection for scar, right anterior tibia. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cysts, scarring, and a skin disorder as secondary to Agent Orange exposure was denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to Agent Orange exposure or any other incident of service. For PTSD, the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent was also denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for her appendectomy scar and service connection for residuals of an ectopic pregnancy. The claim for service connection regarding a cesarean section birth is pending as there are no post-service medical records confirming when or if she had such surgery.

The veteran's service-connected residual scarring of the left eye from metallic fragments is currently manifested by a small inferocentral scar on the epithelium measuring 1 millimeter in diameter, and does not result in impairment of visual acuity or field loss, pain, rest-requirements, or episodic incapacity. The Board finds that there is no basis for attributing loss of vision or other impairment to the left eye scarring.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 1999, for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his employment during the relevant period did not meet the criteria for marginal employment.