Scars decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Specifically, the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities, hearing loss, respiratory disability, and scars to his forehead and right arm are not considered to be due to service.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable disability ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Tension Headaches, and Scar Residuals of Pilonidal Cyst have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2014, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for a scar on the dorsum of his left fifth toe is denied. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to February 11, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left eye disabilities did not have its onset in service and are not related to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for new examinations to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his ruptured right quad tendon with associated scar and any lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right elbow chip and scar as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to provide evidence and undergo examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left shoulder residual surgical scar associated with his service-connected left shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as secondary to his service-connected amputation of great, second, and third toes. The left foot scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804. The right knee surgical scar is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. An increased rating of 40 percent is granted for lumbosacral spine disability, but the left breast scar remains at a non-compensable rating. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left buttock scar was denied, and the claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also denied as moot due to existing compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA medical opinion regarding service connection for lung disease, including lung scarring and COPD. The examiner is requested to address whether these conditions are related to active service, particularly exposure to herbicides, creosote, tear gas, and napalm.

The Veteran's ankle disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2012 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. His right scalp scar has been rated as 30 percent disabling since February 27, 2013. The Veteran’s right temple scar is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's ankle disability and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected total left knee replacement with nontender scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the scars of his right tibia/fibula are rated at 10 percent. The decision also grants a rating for the low back disability.

The Veteran's residual scars from a left wrist ganglion cyst excision are granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has denied higher ratings for the Veteran's left knee surgical scar and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, but remanded his claims for increased rating for post-operative residuals of right knee injury and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.