Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his residual scar, status post left spermatocele surgery. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information obtained.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right shoulder scarring has been denied. The Veteran is still seeking a compensable rating for his left shoulder scars.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for the post-operative incisional scar and muscle injury of the right thigh with retained foreign bodies, as well as a 30 percent rating for scars and a muscle injury of the left thigh and tibia, below the knee, residual muscle hernia and popliteal space.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability warrants an increased combined rating of 80 percent for the period prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including hematuria, left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, hip and knee disorders, as well as a right great toe bunion. The issues are related to the evaluation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased rating were denied as the evidence did not indicate an intent to apply for these benefits prior to February 2009.,No new or material evidence was submitted within one year of the August 1973 submission, which was considered abandoned.

The Board has remanded the case due to an opportunity for a new hearing and/or a new decision from the Board. The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is still pending, as well as his request for an increased initial rating for a right testicle scar.

The Veteran's surgical scars, post nodule removal, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling from December 16, 2008. The Board finds that a compensable rating prior to this date is warranted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which was aggravated by service, is now considered a service-connected condition. The Board has determined that the criteria for an eligibility percentage of 100 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill have been met.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 20, 2011 and denied for higher ratings. After December 20, 2011, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right eye disability is being remanded due to the failure of VA to notify him about the examination and consequences of not reporting, as well as to obtain his complete VA treatment records from Alabama.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to the claims of service connection for disability of the feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a scar of the left arm, and a skin disability. As such, the Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity sensory deficit, right lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit are not entitled to higher initial ratings as the evidence does not support a finding of more than mild or moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and updated VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, diabetes, neuropathy, hypertension, and scarring conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left femur fracture with chondrocalcinosis, a scar, and degenerative arthritis were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under VA rating schedules.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current credible diagnosis of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues of rating his left knee disabilities are on hold until further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.