Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities of muscle damage of right muscle group XI and scarring of the right gastrocnemius status post skin graft from laceration with secondary cellulitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, non-compensable service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 3, 2010 for the award of service connection for right distal humerus scar status post fragment wound with retained foreign body is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scar residual of the right knee area.

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

The Veteran's postoperative bilateral inguinal hernias with residual scar have been recurrent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and entitlement to specially adapted housing as his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or result in loss of use of extremities, blindness, or full thickness burns.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a statement of the case addressing service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his tender keloid scars, residuals of shell fragment wounds, right side of neck was denied. The Board found that the current 30 percent rating is appropriate throughout the appeal period based on the presence of two characteristics of disfigurement: length and width of the scar. The claim of CUE in the July 1970 rating decision was also denied.

The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, CAD, tinnitus, malaria, scar from shrapnel wound, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's cystic acne with PFB of the scalp, occiput, beard, face, back and coccyx is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO increased this rating to 30 percent effective November 28, 2011.,The Veteran's keloids of the scalp and neck are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scar is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess her employability due to her service-connected disabilities, including her adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries were not incurred in line of duty, and therefore service connection for the claimed conditions is denied.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active service, and he has a current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and gout. His skin conditions are also related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for chorioretinal scar of the left eye was denied as his vision did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and radiculopathy of the left leg, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 5, 2012. A TDIU is granted effective that date.