Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling new VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected scars and determine whether any other disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's wife, R.M.B., is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits because the Veteran has a combined service-connected disability rating of 20 percent and a combined percentage disability evaluation of 100 percent due to his treatment at VA facilities. The eligibility requirement for CHAMPVA benefits does not include quasi-service-connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings for surgical scar, left knee; DJD of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy; and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 19, 2007 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), finding that the Veteran's left-wrist-related service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement with surgical scar, is rated at 60 percent due to severe painful motion and weakness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected left hip and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities, service connection for shoulder and arm disorders, scar on the back of the head, and neck disorder were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand and forearm disorder, as well as his right wrist scar, were incurred in service. The Veteran is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by pain resulting in no worse than 35 degrees of thoracolumbar forward flexion, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's overall combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the May 2014 VA examination regarding whether his headaches are aggravated by his service-connected right eyelid scar.