Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of service connection for primary hyperparathyroidism status post parathyroidectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 2, 2013, and May 6, 2010, for the grant of service connection for loss of teeth 8 and 9 due to trauma and surgical scar, lumbar spine, respectively, have been denied.

The Veteran's right anterior temple scar is painful and stable, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The skin disorder (claimed as rash) remains pending further examination and opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left lower extremity scars and left foot hammer toes did not originate during active service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA, were not aggravated by a service-connected disability, and are not otherwise etiologically related to any period of active duty or ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 18, 2012 was denied. The RO granted the claim from September 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right thumb and residuals of a right thumb injury with angulation defect and osteoarthritis are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings for residuals of a gunshot injury of the left forearm and abdominal scars, indicating satisfaction with current ratings.

The Veteran's scar, SFW, of the lower left leg is rated as 10 percent disabling. Additionally, he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for his moderately severe disability of Muscle Group XII associated with this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids, scars, and back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired flat foot disability of the right foot, varicose veins with thrombosis, and dermatitis and residual scarring of the right lower leg are all related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected facial acne with scars and keloid acne on chest is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7828-7800. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips) or with four or five characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted an initial non-compensable rating for a left upper lip scar. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and partial median neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected inner lower lip scar, traumatic brain injury, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and chest and left lower extremity scars were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his erectile dysfunction or scars.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their direct effects, with a rating of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability. The other conditions are not rated separately as they are considered part of the overall cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, effective September 8, 2008. The claim for a higher initial rating remains pending and is not addressed in this decision.