Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2007 to September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the right hand, left foot or cervical spine. The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acne and residual scarring are related to his service, including exposure to herbicides during his deployment in Vietnam. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his lower extremities, including whether they have resulted in loss or use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA mental health examination and referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with three scars has not resulted in a disability rating higher than 10 percent prior to November 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his overall disability rating is at least 70% and he has the ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for left thumb arthritis and limitation of motion of the index and middle fingers. The scar on the left hand was found to be noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular rating will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for PTSD and eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim will be returned to the Board after these examinations are completed.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bipolar disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating. The Veteran's left forearm scar, hemorrhoids, and pinguecula were not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of disabling effects.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities by themselves are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's initial ratings for ischemic heart disease and post-operative scars were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's post-operative scars received noncompensable ratings until April 21, 2015 when they were assigned a compensable rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left tibia scar was denied in May 2013. The evidence submitted since that decision is not new and material.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and peptic ulcers), cervical spine disability, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet, hemorrhoids, right lower varicose veins, left lower varicose veins, PTSD, right foot bunionectomy scars, left foot bunionectomy scars, and right knee limitation of extension were not incurred in or a result of active duty service.,The Veteran's acne/rosacea/melasma was granted service connection on September 12, 2011, the day after she was discharged from active duty. The effective date for bilateral knee strain was also granted on September 12, 2011.

The Veteran seeks a higher evaluation for his service-connected left thumb scar. The case is being remanded to conduct further examination and determine the extent of any muscle involvement.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's right calf scar, finding that it does not meet the criteria for any of the applicable rating codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residual scar and headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain her complete military personnel records, verify her active duty service, and obtain any private treatment records from Dr. W.P.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his medical records.