Scars decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral knee and hearing loss, burn scar disability, obstructive sleep apnea, TBI, high blood pressure, back disability, and tinnitus. The effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not earlier than September 27, 2012.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Hays Medical Center on June 18, 2013 were not reimbursable as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were readily available.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unemployable without regard to advancing age. The evidence shows his disabilities are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability but does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all pending claims except for the claim of dependency.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA eligibility are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and scar.

The VA determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as there is no evidence of inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective November 23, 2011. He also received a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a vocational specialist's opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of cholecystectomy with scar does not warrant a compensable rating as there are no current symptoms or functional impairment associated with this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar. The evidence did not support finding a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a groin disorder and granted service connection for facial scars and a deviated nasal septum. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending in the remand section.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand symptoms, including scars and pain with cold weather, are related to a reported injury in 1954 while serving in the National Guard. As such, service connection for these residuals is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially residuals of lumbar strain, left and right knee chondromalacia, left and right ankle strains, and left and right foot plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a VA examination to assess his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating the claims file with any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his current address.