Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.,The Veteran’s claims for TBI, left thumb, ring, and little finger disabilities, lumbosacral spine disability, migraines associated with TBI, residual scars from TBI, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and service connection for residuals of left ulnar nerve transposition in the left arm are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from December 25, 2008 to July 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU for further review.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are rated as noncompensably disabling, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Veteran’s right knee disability remains at the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination for the kidney disorder and additional examinations for other service-connected conditions. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's representative indicating withdrawal of all current appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a compensable evaluation for a scar at the back of the head. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA Scars Examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected scar, and his claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for neck injury and facial burn scars, but dismissed the claim of loss of vision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diverticulitis/diverticulosis, status post hemicolectomy was granted and assigned a 10 percent rating. The current appeal is about the same condition but on an extraschedular basis.,A higher rating of 30 percent or more for diverticulitis/diverticulosis, status post hemicolectomy, on an extraschedular basis, is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right elbow and ear surgical scars, bilateral inner ear scars, bilateral hearing loss, left-hand ring finger disorder, left thigh disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left foot disorder have all been granted based on service connection being presumed due to in-service noise exposure, surgeries, and continuous symptoms since separation.

Service connection for a scar of the left lateral distal leg is granted. The Veteran's onychomycosis rating prior to February 4, 2015 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, including allergic dermatitis and xerosis cutis, is confirmed. The Board also granted service connection for this condition. Other issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the Veteran's head, finding that there was no evidence of a scar during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss or chronic otitis externa, and the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to lack of substantial evidence regarding his employment history.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for residual scars from coronary surgery, but no more. The decision is based on the criteria for service connection being met.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included a total knee replacement and fractures, warranted a 60 percent disability rating from October 1, 2010, for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, facial scar, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted service connection as they are deemed to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for low back strain, residuals of prostatitis, and rating for abdominal surgical scars. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to the need for additional medical opinions or examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for left ankle strain, traumatic brain injury residuals, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a rating no greater than 50 percent. The remaining issues related to scleroderma with Raynaud’s phenomenon are remanded for further development.