Scars decisions — 2013

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for a right wrist laceration scar, and an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial ratings assigned were not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinion regarding pre-existing conditions and their relation to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DDD of the lumbar spine and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 11, 2013. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected cyst removal scar of the left buttock does not result in any residuals, including leg and groin numbness. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and scar on his face are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran is entitled to TDIU and SMC for the period prior to March 26, 2007 due to service-connected disabilities of residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left hand, hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and a scar from an exotomectomy.

The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate current diagnoses for depression, seizures, migraine headaches, inguinal hernia scar, or schizotypal personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including its impact on daily routines and functional capacity.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the service-connected residual head scar was denied. The Board found no characteristic of disfigurement to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800. The right ear hearing loss disability and cardiac disorder claims were not addressed as they are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined effect, as he is able to maintain some type of gainful employment despite his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding potential exposure to herbicides in Guam, as required by VA procedures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle injury and left third finger disability are directly related to service.,Both conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran is shown as likely as not to be in the need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 100 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left inguinal hernia scar did not undergo an increase in severity during active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow disability and entitlement to a compensable rating for a right hand scar, including the propriety in the reduction effective September 1, 2010, are pending.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with one disability rated at more than 40 percent and combined rating of over 70 percent. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he is unemployable by reason of these disabilities alone.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening disabilities and his entitlement to Social Security Disability benefits. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left side thoracotomy scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The scar is superficial and does not cause any limitation of function.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI-related conditions including scars, headshake, balance, gait, and coordination disturbances is granted. The decision does not address the rating assigned or effective date.