Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's scar on the right thoracic wound was found to be painful but not causing any other residuals or functional limitations. The Board determined that a higher rating is not warranted under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD has been granted, with the disability rated at 70 percent from April 8, 2008 to September 15, 2009 and from November 1, 2009 to July 28, 2011. Service connection for chloracne, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis, and chin scar have been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus, shell fragment wound, left hand scar, and neck scars did not warrant higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for keloid scar, right parietal, occipital, claimed as lesions/keloids on scalp was granted to a 30 percent evaluation effective July 14, 2009. The issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims file to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including lung cancer with scarring, COPD, chronic bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and polycythemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for surgical scar associated with total abdominal hysterectomy was denied. The issues of service connection for knee and leg disabilities, PTSD, and TDIU were also addressed but not appealed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The VA has provided adequate examinations and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for cervical spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and surgical scars from cervical diskectomy as well as service connection for TBI are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate her right foot disability. Additionally, she will be provided with an SOC on the issue of initial compensable rating for scars, right foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his CAD and scar, residual of coronary artery bypass surgery, and scheduling a vocational rehabilitation specialist examination to determine employment limitations.

The Board denied both claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings, finding that the Veteran's claims were not properly addressed due to a pending request for an extension of time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected excision scar warranted a separate 10 percent rating for one characteristic of disfigurement, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the scar.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his scar status post cystectomy was granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and myopia (presumptive) was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD for VA purposes. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, skin disorder (including elbows, knees, and hands), IBS, and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, residuals of left broken collar bone, and left hip scarring. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 30 percent effective April 24, 2012. The other issues were either denied or not claimed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left radius fracture, left elbow scars, and left ear hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.