Scars decisions — 2012

The Veteran's scarring of the left testicular area, status post incision and drainage hematoma, is rated at 10 percent since March 4, 1995. The rating remains at 10 percent from March 6, 2006.

The Veteran's scar from his left spermatocele surgery is rated at 10 percent disabling beginning July 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing scheduling issue, and no notification of the September 2009 hearing date was provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as the existence of a separate left shin scar. The case will be reviewed after this development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no pending claim prior to January 28, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed nasal condition with scar tissue, as well as an evaluation of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including pleuroparenchymal scarring or lesions, atelectasis, and small airway disease, is more likely than not related to his military service due to exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his hearing loss and scars, and re-adjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's left upper lip scar was found to be incurred in service, granting service connection. The issue of a higher rating for the left foot disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability involving a left foot burn scar. However, due to an inadequate VA examination, this decision is being remanded for another examination and opinion.

The Veteran is found to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected PTSD and bilateral eye disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and scars of the sternum and under the left arm are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a jaw disorder with associated scars, status post surgeries is being remanded due to the need to obtain his in-service medical records and provide him with VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim for an increased rating for a scar on the dorsum of the left foot is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for a scar on his right mid-lower leg due to inadequate examination opinions, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity scar with nerve damage warranted a separate 10 percent rating for the nerve aspect of his disability, effective from April 2008. The scar was rated as stable and nonadherent, but not productive of limitation of motion or function.