Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include increased ratings for shell fragment wounds, median neuropathy, and ulnar neuropathy.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his hypertension, as well as evaluating the status of his service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his scars resulting from basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's compensable evaluation for his residual scar was granted, with a rating of 10% effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 23, 2011.,Since then, the Veteran testified that his symptoms have worsened and requested a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the evaluation of service-connected residuals of a left elbow injury with degenerative changes, earlier effective dates for various scars and service connection for a left leg injury. As such, these appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with a scar, claimed as a right arm condition, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service and there is no probative evidence indicating arthritis onset within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his service-connected ankle and wrist disabilities, as well as for earlier effective dates. The claims were not supported by the evidence of record at the time of the February 1970 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post surgery for ACL repair with residual scars was denied by the RO. The Board has now remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for shingles and tuberculosis were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a left leg scar was granted as it is likely related to service.,Claims for digestive disorder, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and rosacea are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scars from inguinal hernia repair, other than scars related to in-service hernia repair.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot MTP joint disability improved and was capable of more than marginal employment, thus finding the reduction from 30% to 10% disabling proper. The scar also showed improvement with no tenderness or pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no residuals of left great toenail removal, no compensable rating for the scar on the wrist, and no rating in excess of 10 percent for right thumb injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 1, 2009. The scars have been rated at 30 percent effective November 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of a neurological disorder related to his shrapnel wounds, and the evaluations for his shoulder disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his left index finger scar was granted from April 26, 2004 to September 5, 2005. After that period, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity scars are rated at a 10 percent evaluation from October 27, 2008 until February 23, 2009.