Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90%, which satisfies the criteria for a TDIU. The evidence shows that the Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle/foot disability and awarded an individual compensation rating of 10% for scars of the left cheek, right temple, and/or right eyebrow.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 18, 2015. The rating for PTSD has been granted and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran does not have a permanent total service-connected disability, and therefore does not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of Title 38 U.S.C.A.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on the right shoulder, left foot plantar fasciitis, and second degree burn to the back have been denied. The claim for service connection for a benign essential tremor of the left hand has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's lung condition, characterized by recurrent pneumonia and lung scarring, has been rated at a 30 percent level based on post-bronchodilator FEV-1/FVC results between 56 to 70 percent. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding attributing such objective criteria of the Veteran's pulmonary function to his service-connected lung condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bladder disorder (voiding dysfunction), and residual scar from radical prostatectomy are all found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lipoma postoperative with residual scar at inner aspect of right arm is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his neurological and muscle symptoms.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient medical records from Chanute Air Force Base and other relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for painful scars of the left and right feet, associated with plantar fasciitis with heel spurs, was granted effective June 4, 2008.

The Veteran's left quadriceps muscle disability, hemorrhoids, and left knee scar have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms and functional impairment. The initial rating for each condition has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of increased staged ratings for PTSD, was satisfied with his current rating for burns to his right hand, arm, and wrist, and requested withdrawal of all other issues. The TDIU claim is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, despite potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his service-connected left and right foot disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's skin disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring, is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained an in-service facial laceration resulting in a scar near his right eye, which is now considered service-connected. The issues of diabetes mellitus, type 2 and prostatic hypertrophy are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.