Scars Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination of the effect of his alcohol and drug abuse on his employability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral otitis media, left and right scarred ear drums. The evidence did not support a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied increases in the veteran's ratings for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the back and right leg, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected scar, status post excision of lipoblastomatosis with rib segment resection and resection of the right major pectoralis muscle, is rated at 30 percent based on moderate damage to two muscle groups (Muscle Groups II and III).

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for acne vulgaris with facial scarring was denied, and his special monthly compensation claim based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of multiple incisions, drainage, and debridement of the left tibia with scarring. The claim for higher evaluation for inactive chronic osteomyelitis of the left tibia is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar from pilonidectomy does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, partial amputations of the ring and little fingers with scars of the palm, and arthritis of the right wrist. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's transverse traumatic and surgical scar of the front and left neck does not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar of the right eyelid and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, without regard to age or nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there is no competent evidence relating the organic brain disease to the veteran's military service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic sinusitis and lung scars are not well grounded, thus denying both claims.

The veteran died from COPD, but his service-connected heart disease and duodenal ulcer did not contribute to his death.,The appellant's claim for basic eligibility for dependents' educational assistance was denied as the veteran had no permanent total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for his service-connected puncture wound scar, as well as the propriety of the initial evaluation assigned for his left ankle disorder. The appeal regarding the September 13, 1972, rating decision denying a compensable rating for the service-connected puncture wound is pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his scars and right knee disability, as well as service connection for a right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and kidney disorder. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for left shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service-connected scars, residuals of shell fragment wounds with retained foreign bodies and painful dysesthesias in his thighs and lower legs are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of stab wounds to the left chest with hemothorax and scars are not productive of more than moderate impairment, thus denying an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, a disorder causing right abdominal pain, bronchitis, and bleeding scars are not well grounded. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle injury residuals, and right hand scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.