Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected loss of smell, loss of taste, and facial scars have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic limb pain, eye disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for thyroid disability, abdominal scar post hernia repair, and PTSD are all remanded. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for the thyroid disability or increase ratings for the abdominal scar and PTSD.

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

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and remanded the issues of hypertension, right shoulder arthritis, surgical scars of the right shoulder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left foot scar has been rated as non-compensable due to its stability and lack of functional impairment. The Board found no evidence supporting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his residual scars on the left arm is denied as there are no scars that meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for breast cancer, leg and arm pain as secondary to breast cancer, lymphedema, and painful scars. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected degenerative changes of the right knee with scars is remanded due to inadequate examination and need for additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scars of the right tympanic membrane and right ear was granted effective August 5, 2013. The appeal is denied as there are no earlier effective dates available.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of pregnancy and miscarriage is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to the in-service event.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including CAD and DM with hypertension and ED, as well as associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and scar from CABG surgery, are restored effective March 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including EBV and mononucleosis with residuals, chronic fatigue syndrome, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neck scar, Bell's palsy, GERD, chronic sinusitis, bilateral shoulder condition, left index finger injury, left index finger scar, and right ear hearing loss have been granted.,The Board found the preponderance of evidence supported the Veteran's claims for service connection based on his in-service diagnoses and continued symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an informal claim prior to December 26, 2007.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating claim for a scar on the left hand was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes. Service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and a left hand disorder were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate premises.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the bilateral hands are being remanded due to new evidence and symptom progression. The Board will also consider his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims were denied in a February 2006 rating decision. He filed to reopen the previously denied claims on January 10, 2011, and they were granted effective from that date.