Scars decisions — 2017

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoporosis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity mononeuropathy, left upper extremity superficial radial sensory neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, a facial scar, and eczema, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his work and educational background since March 29, 2005. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 18, 2011.

The Veteran's left leg postphlebitic syndrome is rated at 40 percent disabling since September 1, 2014. The Veteran's left leg scar is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from November 22, 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C, a mood disorder due to general medical condition, and post-operative left knee injury residuals with scar residuals and traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining both physical and sedentary employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations have been denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or other criteria warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal of the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for plantar keratoses of the left foot with associated scars.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right knee, thigh, and buttocks have been granted initial compensable ratings. Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine has also been established.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition and right hand injury with laceration are not related to his active service or any period of ADT/IDT. As a result, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for acne with scarring is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and found that the Veteran's right eye disorder, including chalazion and related scars, was not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including residuals of appendectomy. The effective date for a 10 percent rating for residuals of appendectomy was not granted prior to January 15, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

Your original 10% rating for scar residuals of cyst removal in the posterior trunk area has been restored and is effective October 31, 2013.