Scars decisions — 2013

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from April 6 to 8, 2010 at the Ocala Regional Medical Center are approved due to his service-connected disabilities and the lack of feasible availability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his employment history. The TDIU issue will be reviewed by the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service to determine if an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's left knee instability and scars were rated at 10% prior to April 22, 2013. After that date, the disability rating was increased to 30%. The meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction with chondromalacia is now rated at 30%.

The Veteran's laceration scar residuals were incurred during active service and are now granted.

The Board has granted service connection for rash and scarring of the right ankle, rash and scarring of the feet and legs bilaterally, and hypertension. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to have been incurred during his active military service, while his hypertension is presumed to have become manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for a burn scar on the back with residual pain and itching, finding that it is related to an in-service burn injury.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed conditions, as there is no competent and credible evidence showing in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for post-operative left hip disorder, left knee disorder, scar from cervical spine surgery, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea are the main points of concern.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly decide the underlying merits of the presented claims, including affording the Veteran a new VA examination to assess his lung and right ankle disorders due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his keloid scars on the back and chest have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for the scars on the back and 20 percent for the scars on the chest.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma residuals and associated scars have been granted service connection, but the current ratings are found to be inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected scars on the back and chest are not shown to warrant a higher evaluation as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after the additional evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide his claims, including VA examinations and the provision of all necessary records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right ankle strain, right foot strain, and right ring finger scar have been denied. The VA has determined that the disabilities do not warrant higher initial ratings based on their current manifestations.