Scars decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and service connection for a chin scar as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the appropriate disability ratings for cataracts and left knee arthritis with scar are pending. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and assistance or being housebound is also pending, but will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but additional development is needed to fully assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for PTSD and migraine headaches are granted with initial ratings of 30 percent each.

The Veteran's muscle injury of the right thigh is rated at 10 percent, effective April 28, 2015. His scar associated with his SFW is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection were denied. His arthritis of the left knee with limited range of motion is rated at 10 percent, while his residuals of trauma and lateral meniscectomy of the left knee are rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with scar is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his sleep apnea, left shoulder disabilities, and scar condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn by his representative. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuritis is at most mild and does not warrant a higher rating. Additionally, there is no separate compensable rating for his scarring as it is already contemplated by the current rating for neuritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 1, 2010 for the grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflected his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's application for specially adapted housing was denied because he is not entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, inguinal hernia, and a burn scar on his left upper extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As of December 15, 2011, the criteria for a TDIU were met due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for total left knee arthroplasty and left knee surgical scar, finding that the symptoms are already accounted for by the assigned schedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed neck condition did not have its onset during active service, did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and was not caused by active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a neck disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scars, status post operative repair of atrial septal defect is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.