Scars decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and medical inquiry, including obtaining addendum opinions from certain VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for painful lipomas, upper body, is denied as the evidence does not show that his lipomas cover at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.), are unstable or productive of pain or instability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for multiple lipomas, left upper extremity, is denied as the evidence does not show that his lipomas cover at least 72 square inches (465 sq. cm.), limit function, or are productive of pain or instability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for multiple lipomas, right upper extremity, is denied as the evidence does not show that his lipomas cover at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.), limit function, or are productive of pain or instability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for multiple lipomas, posterior trunk, is denied as the evidence does not show that his lipomas cover at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.), limit function, or are productive of pain or instability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for multiple lipomas, anterior trunk, is denied as the evidence does not show that his lipomas cover at least 12 square inches (77 sq. cm.), limit function, or are productive of pain or instability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scars, right forearm (status post lipoma removal), is denied as the evidence does not show that his scars cover at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.), limit function, are painful, or are unstable.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been evaluated, but the current ratings do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right elbow disabilities do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence establishing a diagnosis of a disability manifested by rectal bleeding. The Veteran's service records do not show any current right hand scars.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for partial distal amputation of the left middle finger and scarring of the same is denied. The current 10 percent rating for the partial amputation is upheld, as it is based on pain in the area where the tip of the finger was severed. A separate compensable evaluation for scars is also denied due to pyramiding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered, including a new VA eye examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's left eye disability will be evaluated in detail, with particular attention given to his symptoms of blurry vision, cloudy peripheral vision, floaters, and flashes.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from the date of the July 2010 rating decision. Additionally, a separate 10 percent disability rating is assigned for instability of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50 percent effective January 28, 2015. The Veteran is granted a compensable rating for left foot hallux valgus and right and left lower extremity scars. The Veteran's right hammer toes and left hammer toes are each assigned initial 10 percent ratings. The Veteran's lower left and right ankle equines disabilities are each rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder and residual scar were denied as there was no evidence of occupational or social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain, tenderness, stiffness, popping, and limited motion, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent during the period from February 1, 2011, through March 2, 2015.

The Veteran's splenectomy is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The scar over his right eye does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,There are no indications of systemic infections or other complications related to the splenectomy that would warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's current bilateral eye condition and scarring of the face were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder sling and ankle brace are causing wear on his clothing, but they are no longer needed due to the improvement in his condition. The Board grants an annual clothing allowance for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his hypertension disability and the severity of his service-connected postsurgical scar of the left knee.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since the date of claim, and his lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 30%, but has been increased to 40% as of September 16, 2013. The scars are rated at 30% overall, with a separate 10% rating for pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right hand injury, including scars on the index and middle fingers.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her service-connected conditions were granted and assigned. The rating of 30 percent was maintained for eczema, increased to 30 percent for left knee patella medial/median facet cartilage degeneration with subchondral cyst as of December 15, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent from that date. A compensable rating was granted for status post vocal cord surgery with supraglottis, but not for left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis with posterior-superior impingement, fracture of the fifth left toe, or excision of soft mass tissue and bone fragments from the right foot. The Veteran's nevus of Ito was assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly rate the Veteran's service-connected scar, residuals puncture wound right leg. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after this additional development.