Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between his TBI and sleep apnea with service. The right forearm scar evaluation will also be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding pain on examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were contributory to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and neurological disorders, render him unemployable. The Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no additional rating is warranted.,VA compensation for a left shoulder scar with pain and numbness was denied as there is no evidence of direct fault on the part of VA.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, wrist, and elbow disabilities were denied as the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left varicocele scar and post-operative left varicocele.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, effective February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected status post stab wounds of the right posterior chest, right lower abdomen, and right lower leg have been rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's service-connected status post stab wound scar of the right index finger has not been evaluated.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected right orchiectomy. His hearing loss, COPD, left wrist fracture residuals, scar from cyst removal, allergic rhinitis, and rhinoplasty/septoplasty are all rated at the lowest possible level (0%) due to their current severity.

The Veteran's eye disability, including foreign bodies of the cornea and conjunctiva with corneal scars and dry eyes, has been rated at a noncompensable level. However, considering his need for continuous medication due to dry eyes, which is reasonably analogous to glaucoma requiring continuous medication, he is now receiving the maximum 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6099-6013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least 2003.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after these are obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 3, 2010 for a grant of service connection for residuals of chloracne with scarring chest, upper back, shoulders, proximal skin and face.

The Veteran's claim for annual clothing allowance is denied as the topical ointment prescribed to treat his service-connected skin disorder does not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or reopening of a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.