Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and surgical scars have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with the exception of a claim to reopen regarding abdominal pain. The other issues were either not granted or are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no limitation of motion to 45 degrees or less and no malunion of the tibia or fibula with more than slight knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of his degenerative joint disease and whether it is related to his service-connected left knee disability or secondary to it.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA eye examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected eye disability and its effect on employability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, left scrotal sac scar, and right hydrocele and loss of left testicle were denied as there is no evidence that the disabilities have worsened to a point warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, and the medications he was prescribed did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left eye disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of all evidence.

For the period from November 22, 2006 to September 29, 2009, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted, with the low back strain receiving a 20% rating effective April 25, 2011. The deep non-linear scar of the left leg received a separate 10% rating effective June 7, 2011. Other painful scars of the left leg and reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left lower extremity were also granted ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or restoration of a rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all submitted evidence, including an expert medical opinion regarding malignant melanoma. The claim will be considered in light of new theories of entitlement such as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his scars are rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and scars. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot drop and a disability characterized by brain scarring, to include multiple sclerosis (MS), are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for MS is denied as there is no competent evidence of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot osteoarthritis, heel spur, and right first toe bunionectomy with residual scar has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since February 1, 2010. The Board found that the disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty, including exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards. The Board found conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability, right wrist disability and right thumb scar due to discrepancies in the previous examination reports. The Veteran will be scheduled for these examinations.