Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in several conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and a surgical scar of the sternum. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 20 percent for CTS of the left wrist, but no higher. The Board finds that his symptoms are best described as moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he does not have sufficient combined ratings to qualify for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches and as secondary to service-connected scalp scars. The other issues on appeal are pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him disabled to the extent that he requires the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable and greater than 10 percent ratings for scars, residual of head injury (disfigurement) was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of disfiguring scars to warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 or painful or unstable scars to warrant an increased, 20 percent, rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an elevated cholesterol disorder has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20% since June 16, 2016. Prior to that date, they were rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's IBS has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30%, which is the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected burn scars. The issue of a current left knee condition remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and experience for the period from February 26, 2007 to March 7, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's esophageal stricture with diverticulum does not more nearly approximate a severe stricture that permits only liquids, and his scar is not unstable. Therefore, the claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran's right and left foot scars with residuals from surgeries are rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2017. For the period starting May 25, 2017, a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's right foot post-operative hammertoes were rated at 20 percent prior to March 9, 2017 and 30 percent starting November 1, 2017. A higher rating for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened and granted. His malaria is rated at a compensable level (30%). The Veteran also has service-connected disabilities that preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's service, specifically lung damage due to fire exposure, scar tissue in the lungs, and constant pneumonia. As such, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's right elbow gunshot wound scars are characterized by two painful and unstable scars, which meet the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The partial amputation of the left index finger and scar, left index finger are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's inguinal hernia and associated keloid scar underwent chronic worsening during her periods of ACDUTRA.