Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, by themselves or in concert, have not been sufficient at any time during the period of the claim to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran meets the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, and after resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, he is found unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, left eyebrow scar, tuberculosis and/or residuals thereof, and bilateral rib injuries as there was no evidence of chronic disabilities resulting from these conditions in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an effective date prior to June 9, 2009, for the service-connected disabilities listed on the title page. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected scars, residual, status-post vasectomy are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and residual CAD bypass grafting scars, finding that the earliest possible effective date is October 27, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a left hand injury. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and his Vocational Rehabilitation folder. The claims for increased rating and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including a right mid-dorsal foot with residual scar and fifth metatarsal osteotomy, bunionectomy, and excision of angiolipoma, is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The rating has been granted since September 11, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a residual painful scar, status post appendectomy, but denied the request for an effective date earlier than January 11, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing and further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his left knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for head scars and headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's facial scar, residual to an eye injury, is rated at 10 percent since January 7, 2000. The VA examiner noted one characteristic of disfigurement (occasional asymmetry of the left upper eyelid), but no visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features.

The Veteran's VRE claim was denied as he failed to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation in developing his individualized written rehabilitation plan (IWRP), despite VA making reasonable efforts to assist him.

The Veteran's old cystic scar, residuals of sebaceous cyst, anterior chest is rated at 0 percent disabling.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured right little finger are currently rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after the initial appeal. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hernia repair scars and his TDIU claim are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, thyroidectomy, multiple facial scars, numbness of the right jaw, scar of the right leg, and scar of the right index finger do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.