Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, left femur scar, and left foot osteoarthritis have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his right eye disability was dismissed as a freestanding claim, not subject to adjudication by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a tongue disability is granted as he has a residual scar on the left side of his mouth that resulted from an in-service procedure.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and Dupuytren's contracture in both hands have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran had these conditions prior to his entry into service, but they were not noted at any time during service.,Regarding the right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist from March 1, 2014 onward. The Board found that this condition is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus with osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his left foot hallux valgus with surgical scar (metatarsal head resection) warrants a separate noncompensable rating for hammer toe of the first digit overlapping great toe. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right knee disabilities and to determine if any flare-ups have occurred. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service connection for a lung condition and scars from shrapnel injuries are granted. The rating for the scar to the right side of his head is increased to 10 percent, effective January 9, 2013. The rating for scars on the right lower extremity remains at 10 percent prior to October 20, 2007 and in excess of 10 percent beginning October 20, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities and right inguinal hernia prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, warranting consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's scar on the left buttocks is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar on head, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and chronic fatigue. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for a left knee scar was denied as the evidence did not show any additional functional impairment or disabling effects not considered under the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residual scars from left hand cellulitis is denied as the Board finds that a VA examination was needed without good cause for his failure to attend.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for depression was withdrawn. The claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease with sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement and scar, prior to April 11, 2011, is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The claim for an increased evaluation since April 11, 2011 (excluding the period from May 11, 2015 to August 1, 2015) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches, right knee scar, MDD, chronic cervical strain, DJD of the right knee post-repaired ACL and meniscal injury, chronic right ankle strain, and right foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis and callus of the great toe have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10% evaluation for his right knee scar.

The Veteran's scars on his right leg, thigh, arm, and face have been rated at least a 20 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a breast reduction, characterized by bilateral intramammary, circumareolar and vertical inferior scars was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that she currently experiences such scars as a result of her in-service surgery.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent since November 1, 2006. The July 2010 rating decision implementing the reduction from 20 percent to zero percent was not considered a reduction in overall compensation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a rib condition (claimed as rib or side pain), but the Board finds no current disability for which service connection can be granted.,Service connection is also denied for an initial compensable rating for left 5th finger strain, and for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for head scars and a left 5th finger scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss, left varicocele, and scar from a stab wound to the right chest did not warrant higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.