Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran is granted a TDIU as of August 11, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is also remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to August 11, 2015 and issuance of a SOC regarding the issue of entitlement to a TTE based on a service-connected disability requiring a period of convalescence following February 2016 surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his painful left wrist scar and residuals of a left forearm fracture to include peripheral neuropathy were denied as the symptoms do not warrant higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and injuries from gunshot wounds to his left thigh and shoulder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted.

The Veteran's scar from the excision of a benign cyst on his right upper arm is stable, not painful, and does not cause any functional limitation. Therefore, he is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right eye disorders, including a corneal scar, traumatic cataract, and traumatic glaucoma, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability of the left eye, tinnitus, or an acquired psychiatric disability that was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, but granted service connection for bilateral ulnar neuropathy (CTS or CTS) as the Veteran currently has a disability manifested by the same symptoms of bilateral hand pain and decreased dexterity that were manifested during service. The other issues remained in denial.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis and residual scars from surgery, was evaluated at a 10% rating since June 11, 2012. The reduction to noncompensable was upheld.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder and acne with scarring.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition improved, warranting a reduction from 20% to 10%. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and right occipital area shrapnel wound scar are of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which reflects the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment. The claim for increased ratings remains denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left finger disability and any forearm and forearm scar involvement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure all relevant medical records and to readjudicate his claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a DRO hearing and issuance of an SOC regarding her claims for higher initial ratings for left hand CTS, right hand CTS, and left hand scar due to CTS.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection, ratings for various hip and knee disabilities, and a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of kidney cancer and surgical scarring secondary to kidney cancer are both granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin cancers and its residuals, including a scar on the right lower extremity. The effective dates are set at December 5, 2006 for the initial grant of service connection for multiple skin cancers and May 16, 2011 for the scars. The rating assigned is 90% for the multiple skin cancers.