Scars decisions — 2013

The Veteran's abdominal scar is not compensable due to its size and stability, and the issues of secondary service connection for right foot drop, low back disability, torn rotator cuff, and Alzheimer's are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, left wrist burn scar, digestive disorder, sleep disorder, and ED as secondary to hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the severity of his service-connected head injury. Additionally, an initial compensable rating for residual scar from head injury will be addressed in a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease associated with PTSD with dementia is rated at 100 percent effective October 11, 2012. His PTSD is also rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a facial scar other than the scar on the left eyelid is denied. The claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a scar on the left eyelid is also denied as there is no objective evidence of such a scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and a left lower leg scar. The decision found no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease and recurrent dislocation with scar, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has granted a full grant of the benefit sought for TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the effective date of service connection for residuals of gunshot wound to the left arm and related conditions set at November 28, 2012. The Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the left arm with fracture of left humerus, and a compensable rating (20 percent) was granted for his service-connected limitation of flexion of the left elbow/forearm due to gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a compensable rating for a right leg scar, leaving no issues remaining for the Board to decide.

The Veteran's hypertension and hidradenitis suppurativa are rated at 10 percent each, resulting in a combined evaluation of 70 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as the symptoms claimed by the Veteran do not appear to be solely attributable to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to additional information provided by the Appellant and new medical evidence. The case is now pending further development and review.

The Veteran's service-connected burn scars on his left hand do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye photophobia and external angle right eye scar and right eyebrow scar have been granted initial compensable ratings of 30 percent each.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right talus fracture, right knee arthritis, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which meets the minimum percentage rating required for consideration of assignment of TDIU. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and shell fragment wound scars do not make him unable to care for his daily needs without regular aid and assistance from another person, thus the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.