Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and associated bladder disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sinusitis, asthma, scar of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a breast lumpectomy, have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance. She also has been granted special monthly compensation based on this need. Additionally, she is eligible for specially adapted housing due to her permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective November 1, 2008. The increased evaluation for the right shoulder is granted.,The Veteran's endometriosis claim has been reopened and service connection is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, sleep disorder, vision disorder, and respiratory disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left elbow scars, right shoulder arthritis, and onychomycosis are not related to service. The Veteran's Hodgkin's disease is currently active or in a treatment phase.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not combine to a total of at least 70% disabling, and he was not found unemployable due to his other service-connected conditions. The claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral vision loss and denies both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prevented him from engaging in heavy physical or strenuous manual labor but did not prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for further development and an opinion on the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of frostbite to the face and gums, a dental disorder (teeth number 18 and 19 extracted), an inguinal hernia, Hepatitis C, a gastrointestinal disorder claimed as acid reflux, or intestinal polyps due to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD was increased to 60 percent effective May 23, 2013. The TDIU claim is remanded as the Veteran has not been provided with a new VA examination or application form.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities and prosthetic/orthopedic appliances.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities do not interfere with his employability, and therefore, the claim for a 10 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their service-connected nature. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for post-operative scarring, status-post coronary artery bypass graft was denied. The issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than May 10, 2003, for the grant of SMC at the housebound rate was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, cervical osteoarthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, scar of the right thigh, and erectile dysfunction, result in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as he has more than one disability rated at least 40 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, specifically a left ear scar, finding that it had its onset during the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 2, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities and determine if she is unemployable due to those conditions.