Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including arthritis in various joints and limbs, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain STRs and VA examinations regarding his diabetes, left arm/elbow disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) and denied service connection for a low back disability, left arm burn scars, and right arm burn scars. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left index finger disability and associated scar are rated at a minimum of 10 percent, with no higher ratings possible under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds the evidence at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except those related to his right elbow. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including obtaining VA treatment records from December 2000 to January 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee conditions and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and remanded the issues of entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right forearm disabilities. The case is now pending for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied VA payment for a powered mobility device, to include a motorized wheelchair, as the Veteran's medical records showed he could achieve adequate functional mobility without such devices through standard medical or rehabilitative treatments.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disability, specifically whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's lip scar is granted service connection and the initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA ophthalmologist's opinion regarding the Veteran's right eye disability.

The Veteran's pes planus with fasciitis and right total knee replacement with scar are rated at 30% and 60%, respectively. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, granting entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection for a residual scar from an in-service right-hand injury is granted. The Veteran's secondary service connection for sleep apnea as related to his service-connected PTSD/major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder arthritis and gunshot wound residuals. The specific reasons for remand are not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's acquired/surgical coloboma of the left upper eyelid is currently rated at a noncompensable rating, and his scar of the left upper eyelid is rated at a 10 percent rating.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's scar of the left upper eyelid is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction and a residual surgical scar. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded, as well as his claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's compensable rating for scars of the chest and thigh, status post coronary artery bypass surgery, is denied. The earlier effective date prior to August 31, 2010 for service connection of scars of the chest and thigh is also denied.