Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his right eyebrow scar is remanded due to insufficient information in the January 2013 VA examination report. A new VA skin examination is required to rate the severity of the scar under the pertinent rating criteria.

The Veteran's prescribed creams for his service-connected burn scars cause irreparable damage to his clothing, and the Board grants a clothing allowance for the 2012 calendar year.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right foot condition and a right foot scar due to outstanding VA treatment records. A new examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disorder, including considering the Veteran's statements about her in-service injury and lay statements from friends and family.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and scars on the chest was denied. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, including urinary incontinence and leakage with abdominal scar, is currently rated at 40 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition requires changing absorbent materials no more than 2-4 times per day.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to her service-connected disabilities, including lumpectomy of the right breast, scar residuals, radiculopathy, headaches, and TMJ syndrome. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the claim for sleep apnea due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder, seizure disorder, and increased ratings for burn scars and pseudofolliculitis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right cornea scar, residual of abrasions, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and for obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated examination and consideration of additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 29, 2016. All other service-connected conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar associated with status post-operative bunionectomy of left great toe was denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for the status post-operative bunionectomy of left great toe.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements at any time during the relevant period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for aggravation of sleep apnea due to his service-connected right leg scar and left ankle disability. The decision is based on a private opinion that found the use of opiate pain medication for these conditions aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a left foot hammer toe condition is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during service or related to his service-connected pes planus.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for right inguinal hernia scar cannot be earlier than August 16, 2012 due to lack of prior claim within one year of discharge from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder cannot be earlier than August 27, 2012 as there was no prior claim within one year of discharge from service.,Service connection is remanded for a low back condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.,Service connection is also remanded for a bilateral hip condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.,Service connection is also remanded for a bilateral knee condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, stomach disability, hypertension, left hand disability, low back injury, left leg lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle injury residuals, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left eye injury residuals.,A compensable rating is granted for scar, status post left wrist fusion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left breast reduction scars were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or pain of the scars.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his residual scar from removal of a sebaceous cyst at the right naso-labial line was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 28, 2016 and 30 percent after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, migraine headaches, corneal scarring, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.