Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, hypertension, heart disability, scars associated with a heart disability, headache disability, and psychiatric disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to her use of zinc oxide, a skin medication prescribed for her service-connected chronic dermatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of at least 80 percent, which meets the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of April 7, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for prurigo nodularis and residual scars of the left and right upper extremities on a direct-incurrence basis, effective from April 30, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to prednisone, voice amplifier, and service-connected duodenal ulcer with GERD were denied. The claim for a left ankle stabilizer was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not service-connected, and his right inguinal hernia scar conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

Your initial evaluations for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeals.,Your initial evaluation for acne to include scarring of face has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's acne does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Scars on the back, right axilla and right shoulder were rated at 20 percent after March 27, 2014.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for residual scarring of the left upper extremity prior to August 14, 2017, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scarring of the left upper extremity since August 14, 2017, are denied. The Veteran's right upper extremity scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart palpitations, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD or another diagnosed condition), plantar keratotic lesions, and right-side nose scar as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's right forearm scar is painful and warrants a 10 percent initial disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent.,Both disabilities are currently remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's increased rating for right knee disability and compensable initial rating for a scar associated with total right knee replacement are denied.,The Veteran is currently assigned a noncompensable initial rating for his scar located on the right knee associated with total right knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The scar of the head is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The service-connected migraines are also rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The left knee issues have been remanded due to lack of recent examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right eye disability was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The rating for the facial scar below the right eye remains at noncompensable (zero percent).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including surgical scarring and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period. The claim for a higher rating based on painful motion prior to August 18, 2010, was granted. However, the claim for a higher rating based on painful limitation of motion after that date remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease with surgical scar is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a review of existing records.