Scars decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran received proper retroactive payments as a result of the August 2007 rating decision, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fracture of the left humerus with moderate deformity, fracture residuals of the left distal radius, and residual scar of a left eyebrow laceration have all been denied. The highest possible rating under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee arthritis and right knee replacement, render him unemployable due to his inability to perform the physical demands of a sedentary job.

The Board has remanded the case due to an omission in a prior examination and for obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder secondary to his left ankle disability, as well as claims for initial ratings for erectile dysfunction and a scar from circumcision, will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC due to blindness secondary to bilateral occipital lobe infarcts and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA treatment in November 1997.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear scar is painful on palpation and grants a 10 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any chest scar and whether it is at least as likely as not consistent with the reported incident during active service. The Veteran's claims for service connection for scars are remanded.

The Veteran's claim is for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability. The Board finds that additional evidentiary development is necessary before it can adjudicate the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a new VA examination and additional development. The AOJ will obtain relevant VA treatment records since April 28, 2008, and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an examiner who has not previously examined him with regard to these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his attorney have withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic right elbow disorder, left foot disorder, or pain in both calf muscles resulting from undiagnosed illness during service. Service connection was also not granted for cardiovascular disease. For the ankle condition, a compensable rating prior to August 2, 2010, and an increased rating as of that date were denied.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper due to the Veteran's failure to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, as well as his inability to achieve a feasible employment goal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further examination to determine his eligibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as her notice of disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year of the December 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The most probative evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey. The claim will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cut on the left hand etiologically related to service.,The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a left wrist scar that is etiologically related to service.,Regarding diabetes mellitus, type II, the Board determined that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.