Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his hip and pelvis disabilities.

The Veteran's scars of the right side of face and temporal/parietal skull are granted a rating of 30 percent prior to December 11, 2017. The Veteran is denied ratings in excess of these values.

The Veteran's left shoulder instability is granted a 20 percent rating effective July 9, 2012. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral knee disabilities was denied as no claim to reopen the issue was received prior to March 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the eyes was denied in a December 1981 rating decision. The Board has now reopened this claim due to new and material evidence, but it is still pending as the issue remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, COPD, and scarring of the lungs due to pneumonia. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residual scars of a pilonidal cyst is granted prior to March 29, 2016. A rating in excess of 10 percent from that date is denied. The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for dyshidrotic eczema is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been established, and the appeal for service connection of recurrent lumbar spine disorder, recurrent right knee disorder, and right neck scar is remanded due to lack of VA examinations addressing these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and verification of his service on the USS Uhlmann in Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar, left elbow ulnar nerve repositioning is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder bursitis, left knee strain, and right knee strain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims for sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, residuals of left fibula fracture, neuritis of the left foot, and left ankle scars are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board previously denied a compensable rating for the scar, cervical spine prior to January 20, 2016; and higher than 10 percent thereafter. The claim has been dismissed as there is no longer any remaining allegation of error.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the RO needs to refer the case to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and granted a 10% rating for the scar from the caesarian section. The removal of the right fallopian tube and ovary are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the remaining claims are decided, including for VA examinations of the Veteran's left shoulder and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not found to be the cause of his obesity and resultant need for special home adaptations or SMC based on aid and attendance. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence linking his obesity to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and authorization from the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's ventral hernia associated with sternal abdominal scar is rated at 10 percent, which is considered noncompensable. The Board found no basis to increase this rating.