Scars decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathic pain due to a nerve injury of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and his scar residuals of a snake bite are rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support higher ratings for either condition.,Both conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations without any reference to service connection via a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scars from a fracture of the left forearm are rated at 10 percent, effective May 30, 2012.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 80%, which meets the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the weight of the evidence indicates that these disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his left elbow disability, including any neurological manifestations and residual scars. The case will be readjudicated following this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder scars, which are residuals of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for these scars.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The VA examiner will provide opinions regarding the likelihood that any current skin disorder or previously diagnosed skin disorders are related to service, particularly given presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a residual scar of the left forearm, but denied service connection for dermatofibromas and compound nevi of the Veteran's skin. The scar is due to an in-service surgical procedure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating and earlier effective date for service connection are both denied. The Veteran's residual scar from a bedsore infection is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right thigh traumatic femoral nerve sensory loss, scrotal or right groin scar, and penis scar.,The evidence did not show that any of these disabilities increased in severity within one year prior to October 31, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 11, 2012 for service connection of residual painful scar, status post appendectomy was denied as there was no indication that the Veteran filed a valid notice of disagreement with the August 1992 rating decision denying his initial claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether current left cheek, left arm, and/or left leg shrapnel wound scars are related to service. The Veteran's claim also includes an issue regarding his pigmented lesion on the left infraorbital cheek.

The Veteran's right knee scar is rated at 10 percent, effective May 21, 2008. The claim for a higher initial evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder is productive of functional loss due to painful motion, warranting an initial compensable (10%) rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities as well as their impact on his employability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues related to service connection for a bilateral hip condition, low back condition, and an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of right knee injury with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and scar. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.