Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for an orthopedic right foot disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scarring on his feet has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a statement from M.J.L., PA. The Veteran's claim for a specially adapted housing grant is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for IgG4 autoimmune disease, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and right eye corneal scarring, and an earlier effective date for the right eye corneal scarring have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's panic disorder is rated at 30 percent since January 27, 2012.,The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 23, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 18, 2013.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated at 30 percent since October 23, 2011.,The Veteran's digestive disability has not yet reached the threshold for a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scars have been rated as non-compensable (0 percent).,The Veteran's anemia has not yet reached the threshold for a higher rating.,The Veteran's uterine condition, with secondary voiding dysfunction, has been rated at 30 percent since October 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's service-connected ankylosing spondylitis with related scarring does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or financial assistance in purchasing automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of service dates and private medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, surgical scars, and right knee condition.

The Board denied accrued benefits to the appellant as she is not considered a child for purposes of accrued benefits and did not pay any last sickness expenses. The appellant was reimbursed for burial costs, making her ineligible for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left upper extremity scars, and cardiac disability is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran has these conditions but does not establish a direct link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates, providing an addendum opinion regarding eye conditions, obtaining VA treatment records, and issuing a statement of the case on the hepatitis C rating issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder scar and head scars (two behind the left ear) related to in-service injuries. The right hand fracture and trigger finger condition are also considered service-connected.,Service connection is established for all three conditions: a left shoulder scar, two head scars behind the left ear, and a right hand fracture with trigger finger.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his right foot plantar fasciitis and right forearm scarring, as well as any functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder strain and DJD, postoperative prostate cancer, residuals of appendix surgery with scars, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of malunion or instability in the right leg, and the third-degree burn scars with multiple skin grafts do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination of the right knee, and obtaining a VA opinion regarding service connection for right inguinal hernia.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left arm burn scar. However, the Veteran's right foot disability is not found to be related to his military service.