Scars decisions — 2017

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and treatment records, and to address the issues of service connection for chronic low back pain, bilateral pes planus, GERD, and left shoulder scars.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease with status post coronary artery bypass graft (claimed as heart disease secondary to hypertension) and a residual scar from coronary artery bypass graft surgery, associated with coronary artery disease with status post coronary artery bypass graft.

The Veteran's right thigh scars have been granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective August 3, 2015. The scars are painful and unstable.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, has precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation. Additionally, the Veteran has other service-connected disabilities that independently rate at 60 percent combined with his psychiatric disability, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his right foot condition and the etiology of his tinnitus. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the post-operative scar related to the Veteran's service-connected epigastric hernioplasty, finding that it is painful and meets the criteria for a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804. The epigastric hernioplasty itself remains noncompensable.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's scar on back of left hand and burn scar on left wrist were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for headaches, hypertension, and bilateral knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar of the right breast mass, status post gynecomastia removal, was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining claims for service connection for PTSD and an umbilical hernia are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's MRSA infection and any residual scars are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his alleged radiation exposure and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hand disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's lung cancer and scars as residuals of cancer are not service connected.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left shoulder disability with prosthetic implant, have caused loss of use of his left hand. The Board finds that the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment are met.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the threshold schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 21, 2014 for the award of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and scar tissue on the lower back is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, including tinea pedis and other skin conditions, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and gastrointestinal issues. The right elbow disability and left foot disability are also found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and he is not entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.