Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his left inguinal hernia and scar associated with a left inguinal hernia disabilities, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the bilateral plantar calluses disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as noncompensable from January 1, 2010 to September 14, 2012 and then increased to 10 percent thereafter. The back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from January 1, 2010 to May 22, 2015 and later increased to 40 percent.,The Veteran's left knee scar has been withdrawn from appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his scar, and a supplemental opinion on his TDIU claim considering his cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee scar and degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects or limitations of function that would warrant a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pulmonary disorder.

The Veteran's left hip disability, manifested by symptoms including weakness, stiffness, and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent based on moderate to marked severity.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his left ankle scar was denied as the evidence did not show any limitation of function or other disabling effects resulting from the scar.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his residual scar, stab wound to chest is granted at a 10 percent level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his right and left shin conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened and is now pending. The evidence received since the last final denial shows that his right shoulder disorder may be related to military service.,Service connection was granted for major depressive disorder, but no specific rating or compensation amount was provided as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, effective June 25, 2012. He also has ischemic heart disease rated at 60 percent and diabetes mellitus Type II rated at noncompensable since August 13, 2013.,From August 1, 2012 through August 12, 2013, the Veteran's combined rating is 100 percent due to his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's appendectomy scar is not rated higher than 10 percent, as the evidence does not show deep or nonlinear scars with an area of at least 12 square inches.,Service connection was also denied for a right foot disorder and respiratory disorder, as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's painful scars have been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran has more than five scars that are both painful and stable throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis with pulmonary fibrosis, claiming it as a respiratory disability. The decision is based on the merits of the case and does not involve any presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric conditions and orthopedic issues, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that he requires this assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased disability rating for his stomach condition. He also has service connection claims for other conditions and seeks secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable VA rating code, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and readjudicating the claims in a supplemental statement of the case.