Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent and total disability due to the loss of use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes with only light perception, or other conditions that would qualify him for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper left leg wound with residual scar, which constitutes a complete grant of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer rated at 100%, PTSD rated at 70%, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, skin disorder, and facet arthropathy of the lumbosacral spine. The initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for each condition. The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), septal deviation, status-post nasal fracture, and a scar on the left fourth finger.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, recurrent skin rash disability (including acne and tinea pedia), and right hand residual scarring are all granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and a right shoulder disorder with post-operative surgical scars.,Secondary service connection for left knee and right ankle disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his combined service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of mastoidectomy, right ear (claimed as right ear drum scar tissue).

The Veteran's skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema, is not service connected. His vertigo is also not service connected. The Veteran's bilateral eye disability has been rated at 30% since December 10, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request at the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without consideration of his age or non-service connected disabilities, prevent the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's right leg scar disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling due to its small area and lack of functional impairment.,The Veteran's left leg scar disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from November 20, 2011 to November 26, 2011 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, but there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss or recurrent ear infections. The examiner found no current scarring on the tympanic membrane.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from September 10, 2009 to April 8, 2010 due to pregnancy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for histoplasmosis with restrictive lung disease and scar is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis is related to his in-service symptoms or otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records. The RO/AMC will reassess his employability status in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wounds to the right thigh and left index finger, as well as a scar from the right thigh wound, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disease, tenosynovitis of the right thumb, and a surgical scar as residual to a uterine myomectomy. The Veteran's claims are now resolved in her favor.