Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's jungle rot with scarring is granted a 10 percent disability rating for the period prior to April 18, 2018. For the period beginning on April 18, 2018, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of left index finger disability, left index finger scar, and hemorrhoids have been dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for increased ratings of left knee instability, left ACL status-post anterior graft and meniscectomy, and right great toe fracture with osteoarthritis and hallux rigidus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete evaluations and a need for additional information regarding the severity of his disabilities. The issues include increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the neck, left hand, and left arm.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left and right inner groin are causing irreparable damage to his outer garments due to a prescribed zinc oxide ointment, which is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, urinary stress incontinence, and residuals of a miscarriage to include secondary depression. The Veteran's testimony was found credible and the benefit of doubt was afforded due to missing service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease of the left wrist was denied, as he currently has a 10 percent disability rating. His claim for a compensable rating for his scar on the left wrist was also denied.

The Veteran's postoperative scar of the right neck is granted a 10 percent rating effective October 17, 2017.

The Board has restored the separate 10 percent ratings for the Veteran's scar of the right knee, lateral and medial aspects due to improper reduction without applying the proper regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and is remanded. The issues of increased ratings for left ulnar and triceps nerve entrapment, bilateral toenail dysfunction, and left elbow surgical scar are also remanded.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left ulnar and triceps nerve entrapments was not earlier than March 14, 2014. The effective date for an increased rating for bilateral toenail dysfunction was not prior to November 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lung condition and finger scar with nerve damage due to lack of relevant medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for right hand scarring and neuropathy/nerve damage are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board determined that the reduction of the rating for tuberculosis with right parenchymal scarring from 100 percent to 30 percent was proper, as the Veteran's condition had improved and he was now rated under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea is inadequate. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total disability evaluation are being remanded due to the failure to attend a VA examination in May 2016. The issues will be reconsidered after an additional examination is conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of current pathologies associated with the conditions. The Board also found that her dry eye syndrome is not an active disease process and thus does not warrant a compensable rating.