Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia and abdominal scars are not rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for scars, residuals of shrapnel wounds to legs, knee, and chin.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hypertension and scar of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and psychotic disorder, cervical spine disability, low back disability, tinnitus, shell fragment wound scars, hemorrhoids, and left ear hearing loss, result in painful, limited motion that impairs his ability to perform employment of both a physical and sedentary nature. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are added.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC due to aid and attendance or a single disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to April 22, 2009 without considering his age and a non-service-connected condition (HSP).

The Veteran's residuals of left hand burn scars are currently rated as 10 percent disabling effective April 21, 2015. The prior rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's right thumb scar is service-connected, and he is granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for his residuals of a right thumb fracture. The Board also grants the Veteran increased evaluations for his right elbow DJD, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and left hip DJD/limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's anterior trunk and left leg scars associated with CABG with saphenous vein harvest have been rated as 20 percent disabling since October 23, 2014. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and medical records, as well as to seek an addendum opinion regarding his eye disorders. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected scars, left forearm, residuals of shrapnel wound do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's residuals from a right hand shell fragment wound are rated at 30%, reflecting severe muscle damage, and he is not entitled to an increased rating.,The Veteran's right hand scar is currently rated at 10% due to pain. The current rating adequately addresses the disability.

The Veteran's scar on his right ring finger is service connected as it resulted from an in-service injury, and the Board has granted this claim based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound of the right leg with scars and limitation of motion of the great toe warrant a 30 percent rating, but not higher, throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following all substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking in-service hospitalization records.