Scars decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran requested a separate, compensable evaluation for scars above the left knee or below the left knee and for injury to muscles other than Muscle Group XIV. The request was withdrawn during the October 2012 Board hearing.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and tinea unguim of the feet have been rated at 10% since June 1, 1997. The left calf muscle scar has also been rated at 10% since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne on his neck, which developed into a keloid scar during service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that one or more of the Veteran's service-connected conditions substantially contributed to his death, as evidenced by a VA medical expert opinion. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any residual scars from fragment wounds to the back, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability (status post left distal radius fracture with ORIF and scars) is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely Substantive Appeal, and thus denied his claims for earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not show actual or functional flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for MRSA infection complications, but the claim has been remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the left thigh graft donor site scar, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD (previously diagnosed as panic disorder) did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for an initial compensable rating for burn scars, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right elbow disability and residual scar.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another/housebound is being remanded due to unclear factual entitlement, including whether any single service-connected disability renders him unemployable or if he qualifies for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death, as well as whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a recurrent skin rash, kidney disorder, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eyebrow scar, which is related to an in-service altercation and head injury, meets the criteria for service connection.