Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim remains denied as he is not granted service connection.,The Veteran's scars are currently assigned a noncompensable rating. The issue has been remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, including private treatment records from various hospitals and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for heart disorders, stroke residuals, bilateral lower extremity disorders, and other conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left arm, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, low back pain, hearing loss in both ears, carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy, vision problems, and headaches.

The Veteran's appendectomy scar, which is well-healed and asymptomatic, has been granted an initial 10 percent rating effective October 23, 2008.

Service connection is denied for a dental disability for compensation purposes (claimed as periodontal disease). The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss and low back strain has been dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for unspecified metabolic syndrome, right ankle synovitis, hypertension, hypogonadism, and scars of the epigastric and sternum have been dismissed. The Veteran also had his appeal for a TBI raised but not addressed by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as a compensable rating for his residual scar. The evidence did not support an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of specially adapted housing, special home adaptation, loss of use of hands or feet due to service-connected disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private medical records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his service-connected back, left thigh (claimed as left femur fracture), right shoulder, residual scars, and tinea versicolor disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for keloid scarring, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that his pre-existing condition worsened during service. The Board also found that the subsequent development of new keloids after discharge from service indicated that this was simply the natural progression of the lesions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to the condition.,For his right knee scar, the Veteran's initial rating request is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the nature and extent of the scar.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and related conditions, along with his coronary artery disease, qualify him for special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinosinusitis, perirectal abscess, dizziness, headaches, left ear hearing loss, and scar on the right knee, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for left eye disorders was granted. The claim itself, however, remains denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 21, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis with lung scarring, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye corneal scar does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating, as it is manifested by a faint healed scar in the far periphery of the right cornea with no loss of visual field or impairment of visual acuity.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for chondrosarcoma and residual scar of the right tibia are being remanded due to potential recurrence of the conditions during the appeal period.