Scars decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of February 27, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and for a higher rating for his scar with postoperative keloids of the neck and right cheek. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service or secondary to his service-connected scars, while his scar was rated appropriately based on its current characteristics.

The Veteran's service-connected macular scar of the left eye is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include right shoulder disability, back disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for any higher schedular rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's breast reduction residual surgical scars are found to be related to her active service, and she is granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the Board finds that additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining medical opinions to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches and scar on the right forehead.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board also granted the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and residual scarring associated with a history of collapsed left lung.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected scar, residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair with mild ilioinguinal neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for his right eye scar. The Board finds that the evidence does not provide an adequate basis to conclude that the service-connected disability increased in severity within the year before VA received his September 11, 2009 claim seeking an increased compensation for his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that TDIU benefits are warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of treatment and examinations related to the appellant's claimed disabilities. The issues on appeal are service connection for a stomach disorder, right leg disorder, joint pain, and scar.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service-connection claims for a right knee disability, lung disability and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are now presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for his left inguinal hernia and associated surgical scar are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected scars and duodenal ulcer. The scars were found not to meet criteria warranting a compensable rating, while the duodenal ulcer was found not to warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left cheek scar is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports the existence of a current disability and its etiology to in-service injury.

The Veteran's skin rash, post-operative residuals of left inguinal hernia, and OCD are currently rated as they were originally granted service connection. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO found that the schedular criteria are adequate to rate each disability under consideration at all points pertinent to this appeal.,The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for SFW residuals of the right thigh/femur, involving impairment to MG XIV.

The Veteran's TBI with residual tension headaches is rated at 10 percent since January 17, 2013. The left ankle disability remains noncompensable prior to December 3, 2010 and rated at 10 percent since then. Bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent since January 9, 2013. Right and left calcaneal spurs are each rated at 10 percent since December 3, 2010.