Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulosis has been granted. The Board finds that there is competent and probative medical evidence of record suggesting a relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his active service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and right arm scar were not found to be related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the August 2012 VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the prior examiner or arranging for a new examination if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is capable of sedentary labor.

The Veteran's multiple surgical scars on his anterior chest are painful and warrant a 30 percent rating since March 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's right hand injuries, including fractures and tendon repairs, have been rated at 10 percent for the duration of the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles and right foot, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without regular aid of a walker and wheelchair for more than 200 feet. The claim is granted for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that an effective date of November 14, 2001 is warranted for the award of a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's residual scar from the excision of a lump under the left clavicle.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of bilateral breast reduction surgery is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has scarring due to her in-service breast reduction surgery, which meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, facial scars, and impairment of the sense of smell have been rated as appropriate under the applicable diagnostic codes. The dental disorder involving the right mandible has not yet resulted in a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with a coronary artery bypass graft is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, status post residual of a right lower lobe segmentectomy, is rated at 20 percent effective since the date of his claim. The Veteran also has a separate 10 percent rating for pain associated with the scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular consideration due to Johnson v. McDonald, and for TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg disability and sciatica, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and updated VA examinations.