Scars decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residual scars, first degree burns of the face. The Veteran's other claims have also been denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee prior to February 3, 2017.,The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for status post total left knee replacement with scar from April 1, 2014.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to March 18, 2014 and remains at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for further examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's acne with residual scars. The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's pelvic scar is rated as 10 percent disabling due to pain and noncompensable otherwise. The prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7528.,Erectile dysfunction resulting from prostatectomy surgery is not compensable.

The Veteran's kidney condition and diabetes mellitus have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to specific dates, with no evidence of significant renal dysfunction or severe diabetic complications.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux esophagus gastritis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 14, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a left elbow disorder, left knee disorder, or throat scarring.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic renal dysfunction with hypertension, status post left nephrectomy with residual scar was granted and assigned an effective date of May 8, 2014. The earlier effective date for the 60% evaluation is not established.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted, and an initial compensable disability rating of 10 percent is granted for migraines. The Veteran's corneal scar with photophobia of the right eye does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Veteran is granted separate compensable ratings of 10 percent for neuropathy of the left lower extremity and a painful left ankle scar, both for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's abdominal scar preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left leg disability between his knees and ankles that is related to service or a service-connected condition. The VA examiner found no clinical support for there being such a condition.

The Veteran's right knee DJD status-post arthroscopy with surgical scars is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2005.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from April 17, 2006 due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The effective date of December 31, 2009 is incorrect as evidence shows unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a DRO hearing and obtaining VA treatment records. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations of his right knee, wrist, back, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the severity of his inguinal hernia surgical residuals and scars. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is rated at 20 percent, and no more. The Veteran's residual scar, status post left knee, does not meet criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.