Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart palpitations, caesarean section scar, and bilateral CTS have been granted service connection. The conditions are presumed to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for scar residuals of a laceration of the left hand, third and fourth digits is denied. The Board found that the scar does not exceed 12 square inches and does not cause functional impairment not already rated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess the severity of his spine and knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and left ankle disorders due to in-service treatment. The Veteran's leg length discrepancy was less than 1.5 inches, which limits the ability to establish a relationship between his knee disorder and other joints.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary as to the remaining claims for service connection for hearing loss and headaches, which are remanded. The Veteran's scar of the scalp and substance abuse disorder have been denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability with residual scarring is rated at 20 percent, the highest rating available under DC 5271.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's hypertension is not considered to have started during his qualifying period of service or within one year after it ended.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, and for a new examination of her bilateral knee and ankle disabilities as well as her keloid scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for scars on various body parts due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's left great toe laceration scar is rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.,Lichen planus has been rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh, left thigh scar as secondary to service-connected gunshot wound to the left thigh, and unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders as secondary to service-connected gunshot injury. The injuries occurred during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and entitlement to a compensable rating for a left thumb scar. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pinguecula with corneal scarring of the left eye with impairment of peripheral vision is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of the visual field chart used in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation for the Veteran's skin conditions was improper and remanded to obtain additional medical evidence. The TBI residuals claim is also remanded for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar left leg, unstable, residuals of puncture wound is denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for arthritis, left elbow, now claimed as an elbow condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, it remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for thyroid disorder, now claimed as thyroid cancer, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private and VA treatment records.