Scars decisions — 2018

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.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, including sacroiliitis, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether her current sacroiliitis first manifested during active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and scar were evaluated, but the current ratings for these conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rib-fracture residuals and residual surgical scars of the right knee, right shoulder, and left foot are being remanded due to incomplete evaluations. The Veteran must provide a response to the Statement of the Case or have his appeal perfected by submitting a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The current appeal involves issues related to increased ratings for right shoulder DJD, rotator cuff tear, deep scars, painful scars, and a superoanterior glenohumeral joint region scar.

The Veteran's conditions have worsened since his last VA examination in 2014, and additional evaluations are needed to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), hypertension (secondary to PTSD), asthma, and a right foot disability were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective July 31, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective March 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 was also granted.

The Veteran's left foot disability, migraine headaches, PTSD, GAD, acid reflux, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction, PFB, scar of the dorsal surface of the left foot, and painful scar of the left foot are all service connected. The Veteran is granted an initial rating of at least 30 percent for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's laceration scars of the left cheek and left ear do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800. The Veteran's service-connected TBI with headaches, subjective symptoms of light and sound sensitivity, and intermittent dizziness is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, status post fusion with scarring is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, but his representative argues that they have worsened since he was last examined by VA. The Board finds that contemporaneous examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of his disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined rating is at the maximum level.

The claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and facial keloid scars are being remanded for further evaluation, while the TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded for further evaluation and to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The hearing loss claim requires a new VA audiological examination, while the neurofibroma disability claim needs clarification on whether it preexisted service and an opinion on its relationship with service.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and other conditions render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 26, 2012 for service connection were denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and increased ratings for various disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance and/or housebound benefits, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bladder dysfunction, CAD, diabetes mellitus, Type II) are considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from COPD.