Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of his tinea pedis versicolor and PFB rating were denied. The ED claim was not granted, the right knee scar claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the tinea pedis versicolor with PFB claim had its rating reduced from 30% to 10%. No new evidence or service connection issues are discussed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

The Veteran's left elbow disabilities, including traumatic arthritis and a scar, warrant a 10% rating prior to November 30, 2015. The Board found that the residuals of his injury resulted in functional loss but not ankylosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating can be assigned.,The Veteran's back scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as they are not painful or unstable.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right elbow scar and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of his right epicondylitis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as pain disorder, is granted. Right ear hearing loss is also granted. However, left ear hearing loss and hyperlipidemia are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scarring from acne vulgaris, finding that the current disability is causally related to the in-service condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a residual scar from the right third finger injury, but has remanded issues related to additional residuals of a right-hand and finger injury in-service, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected status post left wrist fusion and tender surgical scar, left wrist were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a chin scar but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to lack of complete service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lung disability is dismissed. The claim of residual health problems secondary to Project SHAD, also claimed as birth defect in grandchild, is denied. The claims for sleep disability, heart disability, blackout spells, lymph node disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The appeal for TDIU on or after March 27, 2018 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's already having a total (100%) evaluation for his coronary artery disease and a combined evaluation in excess of 60% for other service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, other than soft tissue sarcoma, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for scars as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected skin cancer is also granted.,An effective date earlier than March 31, 2014, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for disfiguring scars of the face, chin and back of the head due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a right knee scar, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder condition and skin disorders due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's right shoulder condition may be aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, but this needs further clarification. For the skin disorders, there is a need for an opinion on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.