Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and thus TDIU is denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's employment status and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her pelvic adhesive disease, right tibia/fibula fracture residuals, left foot calcaneal spurs, and post-surgical scarring of the tibia/fibula was denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for her left foot calcaneal spurs and a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and the initial compensable rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung scarring, IBS, and familial tremors due to a lack of nexus between the conditions and service. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service was conceded.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in service due to noise exposure.,The Veteran’s lower back disability and left knee disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to service connection for a left thumb scar and denied on the other issues. The denial includes the right little finger and hand disorder issue, which was not developed or certified for appellate review.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of head trauma, scar on top of the head, and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Service connection is denied for loss of vision and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and compensation related to a hysterectomy, scar, and loss of use of a creative organ was denied because no timely notice of disagreement was filed regarding the initial denial in October 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand and left hand, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, mild arthritis of the left ankle, and bilateral pes planus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in his file. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for increased ratings of the service-connected left knee instability, pleural plaque and scarring of the left lung, and bilateral inguinal hernias. The Board dismissed these issues as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right lower leg residuals of a punji stick wound with scar was denied. His claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of chest cysts, to include scars, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to May 6, 2015 and since then he has one painful and unstable scar warranting a 20% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a fractured left wrist, right wrist, orbital wall, sinus wall, and facial scars, all resulting from an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's bilateral kidney disorder is not service-connected as it did not have its onset during service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Prior to April 17, 2015, the Veteran's scars on the left cheek were rated noncompensable. From April 17, 2015 onwards, they are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the education and training for sedentary administrative work.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his CAD with residual scar is not entitled to a higher rating. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and prostate swelling.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as compliance with recent court opinions regarding range of motion testing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury and facial and mouth scars, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The right ankle disability was also found not to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for painful scar residual and erectile dysfunction, as well as SMC for loss of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's pain on erection is considered service-connected, and his erectile dysfunction is linked to his in-service circumcision.