Scars decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an ERG by a neuroophthalmologist and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine if his levels of visual acuity are consistent with the results of the ERG testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected scar status post removal of a pilonidal cyst is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current symptoms and findings.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied entitlement to service-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including recent treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane disabilities. The claims for increased ratings will be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative residuals of radical prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety associated with this condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied in part, including his request to reopen a claim for service connection for traumatic cataract of the right eye. The remaining issues were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his depression and infraumbilical midline scar, as well as whether he has suffered additional disability due to VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest any unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician, thus the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to his active duty status and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and residual scar of shrapnel wound between the eyes was granted with effective dates of August 22, 2003. The Board found that the date entitlement arose is August 22, 2003, which is later than the original claim filing date.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity and scars on the left ankle is being remanded to the RO. The Veteran currently has a 50% rating for PTSD, effective November 13, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and accrued benefits. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of increased disability ratings for low back strain, cervical strain, and corneal scars are on hold until these matters are addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including high frequency hearing loss, PTSD, neck scar, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The VA determined that the appellant's laceration scars of right anterior scalp and left anterior scalp are painful but do not meet criteria for a higher rating, maintaining the current 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right fourth toe fracture, and postoperative excision of lesion scar of the left chest were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is part of a higher rating claim.