Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and his claim for TDIU is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's hammer toe deformity of the right foot second toe and scar to the right foot second toe, as secondary to a hammer toe deformity. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA compensation examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran set foot in the Republic of Vietnam during his service, presuming herbicide exposure. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to this exposure. Additionally, the Veteran had a surgical scar secondary to coronary artery bypass graft for his IHD and this is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's scars of her right knee, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor. The remaining issues regarding her lumbar spine and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder, as well as his claims for increased evaluations of multiple shell fragment wound scars on various parts of the body, were granted. The effective date is February 24, 2000.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 27, 2014, forward. The TDIU was not granted for the period from July 2, 2010 to February 27, 2014 as the threshold percentage requirements were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the association of SSA records and additional VA examinations to evaluate his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected scar on his right ring finger has been painful and tender throughout the appeal period, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical examinations and a TDIU examination. The issues of increased ratings for the left eyebrow scar and migraine headaches are on appeal, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for such disabilities, have caused or aggravated his hypertension. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance of another person.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for his healed fracture of the right fifth finger, which was previously rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran is also granted a 10 percent rating for his scar of the right fifth finger, which was previously rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are denied as there is no evidence of scar instability or pain, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7804-7805.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities have been productive of symptoms approximating severe foot injury since February 5, 2010. As such, a 30 percent rating is granted for each foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's residual scar from knee surgery has been rated as non-compensable due to lack of painful or unstable characteristics.