Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded to determine if it is distinct from his service-connected GERD.,Left and right sciatica conditions are also being remanded for clarification.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post CABG and stents with residual scars, is currently rated at 30 percent from March 27, 2014. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as scars associated with her left knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including residuals of lumbar spine surgery. The issues of initial compensable ratings for leg length discrepancy and residual lower back scar are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral inguinal hernias and painful scar tissue associated with them, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's upper left back scar symptoms have worsened, and he needs to provide updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability, boney deformity of the pelvic bone (claimed as internal scarring), erectile dysfunction, and scars on his right thigh and left hand are all related to his October 1977 in-service motorcycle accident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar of the left upper extremity was denied.,The Veteran's increased rating in excess of 10 percent for status post left ulnar nerve transposition surgery was also denied.

The Veteran's tender scar of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a myofibroblastic sarcoma of the left calf, with residual scar due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also denied for a left ear infection or lesion and benign prostatic hyperplasia with frequent urination as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection for scars of the bilateral hands, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, colon polyps, and a skin disorder. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS with anxiety, NOS is rated at 100 percent and he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, the Veteran qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, hiatal and inguinal hernia, chronic pilonidal cysts and scars, and diabetes mellitus are all denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury, event, or disease that could be linked to the Veteran's current conditions. The Veteran's personnel records do not confirm exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of a scar on the left side of his head as incurred in service. The prostate disability issue is remanded for further development and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for left ear injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residual hemorrhoid surgical scars have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer disability, PTSD, low back disability, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. Service connection for scalp scar is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for cervical spine, thoracic spine, left eye, migraine headaches, right thumb arthritis, and right knee post-surgical scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for right knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and right eye disability are pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection for scarring of the right tympanic membrane is granted. The initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss remains at zero percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and the claim is granted to this extent only. The other issues are remanded for further evaluation.