Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a combined effects medical opinion that takes into account the current severity of all his service-connected disabilities, including his gastric disability and back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urethritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to the urethra.,A higher rating for tension headaches prior to April 13, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been granted. The initial compensable disability rating for left eye corneal scars remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings, and thus denied all increased rating claims.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to August 11, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The temporary total evaluation based on a service-connected disability requiring a period of convalescence (total temporary evaluation) is denied as there is no service connection for a cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's lung scarring and COPD were not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to be service connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and for scar of the right upper scapula have been dismissed.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's residual scar status post left inguinal hernia repair is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for initial higher ratings for ischemic heart disease and a compensable rating for five coronary artery bypass grafting post-surgical scars have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's glaucoma is rated at 60 percent, PTSD at 70 percent, bilateral pes planus at 10 percent, scar of the right posterior occipital area at 10 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, and gout remains noncompensable. The appeal for increased disability evaluations has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his conditions were related to service or VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scars, located on his left anterior thigh and left lower abdomen, meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic/severe headaches, left hip condition, mental health condition, right arm condition, right hand condition, right wrist condition, scars (right shoulder), and spinal condition has been denied.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are rated at 20 percent, effective December 15, 2009. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected status left post pectoralis repair with scar has been rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected parenchymal scarring of the right middle lobe is currently rated at 10 percent, and TDIU for the period prior to September 17, 2012, is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of lipoma excision was denied due to lack of material evidence. The Board found no current disability related to the claimed condition.,Service connection for stroke residuals, eating disorder, urinary disorder (frequent urination), sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, and neck scars were all denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's GERD and hypertension were also denied as there was no indication that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for constrictive bronchiolitis and scars, right torso, both related to his in-service exposure to sulfur dioxide from a fire at the Mishraq State Sulfur Mine. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for additional medical opinion.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is also being remanded for additional medical opinion.