Scars decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his right hand injury and service connection for hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of voluminous VA outpatient treatment records from Fairbanks VA medical clinic.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right leg, including scars, was granted. However, his claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and left leg radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for the left calf stab wound scar effective October 5, 2010, and a 30 percent rating assigned for the status-post muscle laceration of the left calf. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered as one disability due to common etiology from in-service noise exposure, meet the minimum percent evaluation requirement for a TDIU since December 11, 2008. He is deemed unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and right acetabulum fracture residuals, are found to be sufficiently severe to preclude him from all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were not timely filed, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars of the right knee and right elbow, as well as his residuals of injuries of the knees, lower legs, elbows, and forearms other than those scars, are both granted. However, his claim for arthritis of the knees and elbows is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of all claims, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a left eye disorder and a back condition. The Veteran's previous statements regarding his in-service injuries were considered, but no new or significant evidence was provided.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for colon polyps, aplastic anemia, and acne were denied. The claim for headaches was granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's right forehead scar, claimed as a facial scar of the right eye socket, is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim for left lower leg, calf, nerve, and muscle damage.

The Veteran's disability due to residual scars is rated at 40 percent since October 23, 2008. Prior to that date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for disfigurement and a 10 percent rating for one or two painful scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck and back disabilities, as well as a scar on his left hand, are not related to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of her service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with scarred tympanic membrane did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing impairment was only at level I in the right ear and level IV in the left ear.