Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right shoulder impingement syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right deltoid scar) render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her permanent and total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation effective September 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding her service and post-service treatment, as well as undergo VA examinations for her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including a scar; bilateral hearing loss; and a right hand disorder. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's palatal scarring is a separate disability from his VPI following the UPPP and if so, whether it was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected hip and low back disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including generalized anxiety disorder, hidradenitis, right ankle injury with degenerative changes, and anal fistula) are deemed to be the primary basis for his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His combined rating is 80 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for arthritis and 20 percent for the residuals of meniscectomy, resulting in a combined rating of 30 percent. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, are being reviewed to determine if they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation for hidradenitis suppurativa with scarring is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a photograph of his face and resolving inconsistencies in medical records.

The Veteran's surgical scar is found to be proximately due to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease. The Veteran's rheumatic heart disease was rated at a noncompensable level from November 2002 to July 2010, and later granted a compensable rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for PTSD and right leg shorter than the left; higher ratings for left hip replacement, left hip scar, and adjustment disorder with anxiety; and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) documents, USPS records, and a supplemental statement of the case on his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete records and for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.