Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI residuals, gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, shoulder disorders, hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, vision loss, testosterone imbalance, wrist and hand disorders, hip disorders, and insomnia are all remanded. Additionally, his claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, a residual head injury scar, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. His TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI, and gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran also had his TDIU claim remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he can manage his daily activities independently.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scars associated with coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service, a service-connected disability, or VA medical care. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal via a written statement in April 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as addendum opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder and dizziness.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for his abdominal scars or appendectomy residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic left ankle strain with posttraumatic arthritis and associated scars are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found no basis to grant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, right knee instability, and right foot disability are all rated based on their current manifestations.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded as it may be secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for loss of part of the skull with bone fragment, and dismissed all other claims.

The Veteran's right little finger disability and associated scar are rated, with the right-hand scar receiving a separate rating of 10 percent. The initial compensable rating for the right little finger laceration is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for the associated scar is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for duodenal scarring with peptic ulcer disease, gastric reflux, and hiatal hernia was dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 21, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is denied. A TDIU from June 4, 2009, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims file is incomplete and requires additional information from her service records, VA treatment records, and private medical providers. The claims are being remanded to ensure a complete record for review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to conflicting VA examination reports, lack of recent treatment records, and potential need for extra-schedular consideration. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination for his service-connected gunshot wound and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in a previous medical opinion. The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, but it may be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic conjunctivitis and residual scar at the base of his left thumb were both denied as there was no evidence of active or worsening conditions, and the current evaluations are deemed appropriate.