Scars decisions — 2012

The Board has granted an effective date of October 17, 2007 for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for a scar of the nose. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 22, 2007 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from December 4, 2004 to August 19, 2008.,For the period after August 20, 2008, a rating in excess of 10 percent for her chest keloid scar is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for scar, removal hematoma, left thigh and service connection for left hip strain and lumbar disc herniation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left forearm disability and surgical scar was denied. The Board found no evidence of nonunion of the radius or impairment of the elbow that would warrant an increased rating, and there were no compensable residuals of the surgical scar.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right hip, left hip, right knee scars, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date is November 2006.

The Veteran's scarring disability, including painful and ulcerated scars on the buttocks and associated neurologic deficits, has been rated at 10 percent since August 15, 1995. The decision also granted a compensable evaluation for his right and left buttock scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection for asthma.

The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's residual scars to the abdomen, gluteal cleft and right thorax are less than 6 square inches (39 square centimeters), do not limit function of any muscles, are not unstable or tender/painful on examination. Therefore, a compensable disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for his scar, residual post removal of right great toenail due to soft tissue crush injury of the right toe, is upheld as there is no evidence of deep or unstable scars. The current condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not show their presence or association with military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left knee disability and scar have been granted, with the TDIU claim being granted as well.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals from pilonidal cystectomy. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also raised and requires VCAA notification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for verification of his foreign service in Iraq. The issue remains about direct service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor are he bedridden or housebound. Therefore, his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current manifestations of the Veteran's right hand disorders, including musculoskeletal manifestations and a scar. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 20, 2009, for the grant of an aid and attendance allowance for his spouse. The preponderance of evidence supported that the claim was received by VA on March 20, 2009.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease is currently rated as 60 percent disabling, and his cervical spine degenerative joint disease and bilateral sacroiliac joint degenerative changes are each rated at 10 percent disabling. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing his employability based on his service-connected disabilities.