Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations have been denied. The current evaluations assigned are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to inconsistencies in his hearing loss claim and the need for updated medical evidence regarding his sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to clarify whether the Veteran's pre-existing acne condition was aggravated during service and if so, whether this aggravation led to permanent scarring. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication after considering all new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea as a TBI residual, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his in-service explosion. The Board granted service connection for multiple explosion residuals of TBI, headaches, and facial scars.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, accepting the decision made by the AMC and Montgomery Regional Office.

The Veteran does not have scar residuals of shrapnel wounds to the face, and there is no evidence linking this condition to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a complete list of his post-service employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since February 10, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his scar/nerve entrapment and service connection for major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the scar/nerve entrapment, as it was rated at 10 percent under DC 8530 due to mild incomplete paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve. Service connection for major depressive disorder was granted but with no effective date provided.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her combined service-connected disabilities, which include migraines, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, thoracolumbar levoscoliosis and herniated nucleus pulposus, hypertension, coccyx neuropathy, and a scar. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's scars associated with her neuro-stimulator implant have been rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2015 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including a fracture and associated scars, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found no basis to grant a higher rating as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI, scarring of the head, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disability. The Veteran did not have a scar on his head at any time during the appeal period. His migraines were rated as 10 percent disabling based on characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a notification of withdrawal from the appellant.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was shown in service and continues to the present day, meeting the criteria for service connection. The Board finds that his back injury and left shoulder disability are related to service, while a right hip scar is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at his local RO. His claims of increased disability rating and TDIU are still pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability for either of the claimed conditions and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a back injury during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury.,There is also insufficient evidence to establish service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested as a scar behind the right ear. However, he is entitled to service connection for burn scars of the back, shoulders, and hips due to an in-service injury incurred during ACDUTRA.