Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic features, as well as a left hand burn scar, was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Veteran's current rating for his psychiatric disability is 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar, headaches, dizziness, and residuals of a left arm stab wound. The Veteran's current diagnoses are based on his lay statements regarding symptoms he experienced during service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and macular scar was denied as there is no evidence of constricted fields or visual acuity that would warrant a rating in excess of the current evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, with a residual scar, is rated at 20 percent prior to July 20, 2017. The rating has not changed since it was initially assigned in April 2010.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's facial scars are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination. Additionally, both the increased rating claim for the facial scars and the SMC based on housebound are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from July 2012 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease, preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected Achilles tendon disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected Achilles tendon disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 8, 2006 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected degenerative changes of the right wrist.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 8, 2006 for the grant of service connection for painful scar of the right thumb.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 8, 2006 for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination to assess the nature and severity of the Veteran's scar status post colon resection and any skin disorder attributable to it. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examiner to determine if rashes and acne are related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical scars, finding that the Veteran's in-service LEEP surgery led to current cervical scarring. The other claims of service connection for residuals of cervical dysplasia, miscarriage, and depression are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various disabilities of the right elbow was granted effective from April 10, 2003. The decision is based on evidence received after an initial denial and does not involve any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of corneal scars and tinnitus, as well as the TDIU claim during a hearing before the Board. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and ganglion cyst residuals are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's residual scar status post excision of a pilonidal cyst is not compensably disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's kidney cancer and scar, including verifying his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 25, 2009. From that date onward, he was capable of sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is not the cause of his current neck disability.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has residuals from a head concussion at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.