Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claims for increased ratings for residuals of left ankle fracture and left ankle scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has ordered a VA examination and instructed the RO to consider whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's character of discharge for his final period of service from March 1997 to February 2008 is a bar to VA benefits due to the commission of offenses during that period resulting in a dishonorable discharge. The appeal has been withdrawn with respect to several issues.

The Veteran's service-connected scar on the right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's skin disability, including discoid lupus erythematosus and folliculitis of the facial area, facial scars, and acne, has been rated at a maximum 60 percent since October 13, 2011. The claim for increased ratings is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all service-connected disabilities in combination.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her right knee disability for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's disability ratings for limitation of left thigh abduction with scars, flexion, and extension have been granted at the maximum available rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment prior to March 17, 2014.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been rated at 10 percent since November 29, 2010. The rating was increased to 40 percent effective May 11, 2011 and then decreased back to 10 percent effective June 16, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right foot gunshot residuals resulted in moderately severe injury to the foot from December 1, 2013 to August 16, 2016. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from 1969 and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has not determined the validity of all issues on appeal, as some are related to reopening previously denied claims. The Veteran's left foot injury claim and hypertension claim have been reopened due to new evidence submitted. However, service connection for constipation, bruising condition, gynecomastia, and dizziness remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, status post medial meniscal repair, left knee was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show one or more unstable or painful scars warranting a higher disability rating under DC 7804.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine injury residuals, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and hemilaminectomy residuals to include post-operative scar residuals are service-connected. The claims for right hip, right knee, left knee, bilateral foot, and bilateral lower extremity neurological disabilities will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 22, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for keloids of the chest, back, and right leg was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-keloid scars of the chest, back, and right leg was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash disorder was denied.