Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than bronchitis is still pending. The rating for bronchitis has been granted with a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, and the Veteran requested an increased rating. The left wrist disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including the assembly of medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Board found no evidence of a nasal condition, post irritation, impaired breathing, or water retention due to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they do not allege specific error of fact or law in the July 1981 rating decision and February 1999 Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 23, 1985 for additional compensation for a dependent spouse is granted. This decision constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma, a scar, status post nevi removal, and bilateral elbow disorder. The claim for service connection for pes planus was reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left eye disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The right eye disability claim is also inextricably intertwined with the left eye claim.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on the issues of scar status post exostectomy right heel and incision scar status post benign tumor between the 7th and 8th rib; status post exostectomy right heel; and scar status post left foot neuroma have been dismissed. The Board has also granted service connection for residuals of a right 5th finger injury.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease with vertigo, a chronic disability caused by microscopic hematuria, and keloid scars. The Veteran did not have a chronic condition related to microscopic hematuria or any other claimed conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran's current keloid scars were not aggravated during his periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residual scars due to malignant melanoma need further development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities and for service connection for additional conditions has been withdrawn. The Veteran's daughter, M.E.W., is recognized as the 'helpless child' of the Veteran for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 6, 2014 and granted a higher rating of 30 percent beginning March 1, 2015 for his service-connected left total knee replacement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back condition), scars, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral nasal pinquecula with dry eyes, hernia, ear pain, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to obtain or maintain such employment.

The Veteran's scars associated with service-connected bilateral hammertoes and right knee injury have been rated as 20 percent disabling since March 2003. The Board denied an increased rating for these scars.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2007. The claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn during the hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were granted with initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar strain, diabetes mellitus type II, right hip condition, and scars from a shell fragment wound of the right lower extremity with retained foreign body, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual scar of bilateral earlobes was denied in November 1970 due to failure to report for examination. The decision is now found to have been clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's residual scar of bilateral earlobes, effective from April 3, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, but the case is remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and a vocational rehabilitation folder.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals related to cuts or scrapes he sustained in service, and thus denied his claim for scars (claimed as jungle rot) resulting from service.