Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal primarily concerns ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, neck and low back disabilities, radiculopathies, acne scarring, circumcision residuals, and chicken pox. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings in some cases but not others.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from February 9, 2004; his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's left eye scar, neck disability, bilateral rib disorder, and deviated septum were not found to be related to service.,Service connection for dental treatment purposes was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear status post repair with residual scarring is denied.,An effective date of April 19, 2012, is granted for the award of an increased, 10 percent rating for right knee genu recurvatum.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined 30 percent rating for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for various foot conditions, including left tarsal tunnel syndrome and diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking any current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current disability for these conditions as defined by VA standards. For his right hand condition with carpal tunnel, the Board finds in favor of the Veteran based on credible lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's traumatic head injury, scars on his head and nose, and vision problems. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee scar disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis with left heel spur does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be decided, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted an initial compensable rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The right hand scar has also been increased to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for post-operative ventral and umbilical hernia from April 1, 2010. The Veteran's scars, status post umbilical hernia repair and residual non-linear surgical scars are not rated higher due to lack of disabling effects or limitation of function.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraines are related to her active duty service and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound scar on his left leg is granted, and he receives a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD.,PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, conducting a VA examination, and assessing his functional limitations due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left hand scar is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his skin condition of the feet, abdominal scar, and PTSD.