Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and bilateral inguinal hernias, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. He is rated at 100% for schizoaffective disorder since December 20, 2013, but his other disabilities are rated less than 60%. The Board denied the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right wrist disability is granted, with a noncompensable evaluation.,The Veteran's compensable scars from the right leg are maintained. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for PTSD and left ankle disorder. These claims are remanded for further review.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, trichotillomania, and asthma due to Agent Orange exposure and smoke inhalation.,The Veteran's heart condition and spinal disorder have not been established as service-connected.,The Veteran's dental disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by postoperative residuals of a fracture with degenerative changes and painful surgical scars, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.,For his bilateral foot disability, the Veteran was previously assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent for each foot is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether there was an improvement in the Veteran's service-connected post-operative left knee scar. Restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings have been granted, with the left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes receiving a 20 percent rating. The right and left foot disabilities each receive a 10 percent rating prior to April 27, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Allergic rhinitis receives a non-compensable rating. Post-operative scars on the right ankle and left shoulder are also rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension, service connection for asthma and pilonidal cystectomy scar, buttocks (claimed as anal canal condition), early menopause, and a higher initial rating for her left axilla scar. The decision also noted that she was not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits due to her discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a corneal scar of the right eye, but denied service connection for loss of vision in the right eye due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's scars did not warrant higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, but the specific details of each grant are not provided in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar of the face and forehead as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability for which service connection can be granted. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosis or etiology provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scars associated with skin cancer. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and nasal fracture with deviated septum have been rated based on their current severity. The scar from the iliac crest bone graft has also been evaluated.,Service connection for residuals of a skull fracture is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne vulgaris and its associated conditions has been granted.,Service connection is also established for malaria, as the evidence shows a diagnosis in service.