Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's keloid scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as they are superficial, stable, and measure less than 12 square inches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand laceration scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied it due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for keloid scar was also denied. Service connection for TDIU is not addressed as it relates to a different issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected residual gunshot wound scars of the left thigh and leg are rated at 20 percent, effective June 1, 2009. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, tinea pedis and tinea cruris, polymorphous light eruption (PLE), scars, residual of a shrapnel wound to the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria. The Veteran's contentions and treatment records indicate current diagnoses.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to multiple disabilities, including the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury that so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The special home adaptation grant claim is moot.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a tender scar on the left knee is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran has a current disability (a tender scar) and that this condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for excessive burn scars of the neck and chest, with sweat gland disorder and dyspnea, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for lung disorder, liver disorder, tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cesarean section residuals, including two scars located on her lower anterior trunk, do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The scars are stable and do not cause pain or instability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements, and there are no exceptional or unusual factors that would render application of the schedule impractical. The VA examinations and SSA evaluations indicate that the Veteran is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals from a head cyst removal are service-connected, but his bilateral foot disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 60 percent since April 6, 2016.,His stomach disorder (small sliding hiatal hernia) is rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2008 to April 5, 2016. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains on appeal for the period prior to April 6, 2016.

The Veteran's surgical scar on his right knee and status post fracture of the right ring finger have been evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability without regard to advancing age or non-service connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied as she is not considered in need of regular aid and assistance, nor does she qualify for housebound rate special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected healed scar on the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied as there are no additional disabling effects not already covered by the current rating.