Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right wrist scars has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, traumatic scars on the trunk and scars on the right upper extremity and right elbow. These conditions are deemed to be related to a motor vehicle accident that occurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder NOS is found to be of sufficient severity to require the need for assistance in performing daily activities and protecting himself from hazards, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for lesions/scars of the face and scalp, osteomyelitis of the right index finger, and bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for tinea versicolor and prostate cancer is remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, heart disability, hypertension, and forehead scar. The cases are remanded to schedule VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 20% from January 1, 2006 to August 29, 2006 and from October 1, 2006 to August 25, 2008. A separate 10% rating for a laminectomy scar is granted.

The Board is unable to grant service connection for the Veteran's skin condition, inclusive of herbicide agent exposure because there is no medical opinion linking his condition to Vietnam and/or his herbicide agent exposure. The case is remanded for a VA examination and a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as there are no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hand scar with deformity was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claim.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is not due to service-connected disabilities, as determined by the VA examiner. The claim for special monthly compensation based on these needs is denied.

The Veteran's vision in the left eye was rated at 90 percent from May 2, 2017 to present.,A 70 percent rating was granted for July 23, 2014 to May 2, 2017.,Prior to July 23, 2014, the Veteran's vision in the left eye was rated at 30 percent.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and a rating of 60 percent, but not higher, for bronchial asthma. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, dizziness, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and abdominal scars are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability was denied. His claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and left leg scar were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, lumbar disc disease, scar, low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for TBI and the propriety of reducing the disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 30% are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 60 percent for folliculitis and pseudofolliculitis with facial scarring, leaving only the denial of service connection for prostate cancer as the remaining issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his left foot disability and sleep apnea. The Board will seek to determine the severity of his service-connected left foot condition, as well as whether his sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable evaluation for multiple scars, so the case is dismissed.