Scars decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the remaining claims to obtain updated VCAA notice and to schedule VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran is granted an initial compensable evaluation for the resection of his eleventh rib and a separate compensable rating for a painful scar on the right side of his chest. The preponderance of evidence supports these determinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left hip disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 30 percent assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right hip disability and scars of the lips and chin. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia scar and right wrist strain, as well as her increased rating claims. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination due to the passage of time since her last examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, nor does he meet the requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is not productive of a disability picture consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of laminectomy, scar are not considered unstable or manifested by pain on examination; nor is there any limitation of motion.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right inguinal hernia are not productive of a recurrent, readily reducible hernia that is well supported by truss or belt.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder calcific tendonitis with minimal arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint is manifested by complaints of pain and some limited range of motion, but without limitation to shoulder level or evidence of ankylosis.,Prior to July 14, 2008, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease, L4-L5 spondylostenosis, fusion L5 to S1 is manifested by subjective complaints of pain and objective findings of limitation of motion, but not forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; ankylosis; or incapacitating episodes of at least four weeks over the past 12 months. From July 14, 2008, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease is manifested by subjective complaints of pain and objective findings of decreased limitation of motion, but not ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks.,The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are mild or moderate with excessive redundant tissue, but are not thrombotic or irreducible; and there are no objecting findings of persistent bleeding, anemia or fissures.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability with resection of the clavicle is manifested by complaints of pain and limited range of motion, but without limitation to midway between side and shoulder level or evidence of ankylosis.,The Veteran's service-connected greater occipital neuralgia with headaches is manifested by subjective complaints of headaches, but without evidence of prostrating attacks or moderate incomplete paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for service-connected right eye corneal scar was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective May 11, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate allowed by 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(2) is granted, as he receives necessary and life-sustaining daily health care with hands-on facilitation by his wife who has received specific training and performs under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a caregiver.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected residual scar, status post stab wound, left foot is granted. Service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis are addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and initial compensable evaluations for left jaw line scar, right lower extremity scar, and left lower extremity scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a flexion contracture deformity of the right hand 5th digit is denied as there is no evidence that this condition had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel spurs, a heart disability, hypertension, and a scar of the right thigh. The appellant's claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at his local RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claim, including consideration of new evidence and argument submitted since the August 2007 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for left lower extremity phlebitis is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current complaints.,The Veteran's claim for schizophrenia has been reopened, but further evidence is needed before service connection can be granted.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for psychogenic gastrointestinal reaction (dementia) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for higher initial rating for right lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency remains pending.