Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial disability rating for left arm gunshot wound residuals with non-tender scars was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's scar on the right upper arm was granted a 10 percent rating prior to October 19, 2015.,For headaches from January 20, 2008 to April 21, 2010, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating. Since October 19, 2015, he was granted an additional 20 percent for his headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014, and 40% thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were each rated as 10%. His PTSD was rated as 30%, and his left leg scar was not assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder has been withdrawn by his representative.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since October 10, 2015.

The Veteran's spontaneous pneumothorax with residual scar resulted in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) that documented no worse than FEV-1 of 56 to 70 percent predicted, or; a ratio of FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 56 to 66 percent predicted. The disability has not resulted in the severity required for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's scar of the left cheek and right upper chest were not found to warrant a compensable evaluation. The scars are superficial, well-healed, and do not demonstrate any characteristic of disfigurement.,For the period prior to July 25, 2012, the Veteran's scar of the right upper chest was rated as 10 percent disabling. After that date, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,The Veteran's prostatitis resulted in daytime voiding interval less than one hour and no urinary tract infection or appliance use, warranting a disability rating of 40 percent under the criteria for voiding dysfunction.,The scars of the right shin were not found to meet any compensable evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right inguinal hernia or left knee disability during service, and the Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection. The Veteran's left cheek scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's scars have been evaluated under the criteria prior to October 23, 2008. The Board has determined that he is not entitled to a compensable rating based on his scars due to insufficient area or lack of limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for folliculitis decalvans with scarring alopecia and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a nexus to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's abdominal scar was granted a 10 percent rating, effective September 2006. The Veteran's pulmonary embolism is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 6817 due to its symptomatic nature following resolution of acute pulmonary embolism.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if an extraschedular TDIU rating on his service-connected disabilities prior to September 23, 2009, is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and found that the appellant's daughter submitted an informal claim on behalf of the Veteran. The effective date is October 31, 2012. The Board also found that the appellant meets the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss. The issues regarding increased ratings for his left hip conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and other conditions such as anxiety disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected multiple basal cell epitheliomas with postoperative scarring was denied as he did not report for the scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbar myofascial strain and right foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 22, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder and granted an initial compensable evaluation of 30 percent for residuals of laceration, right supra orbit of face with scar. The claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a sinus condition or its residuals.