Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issue of the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 5, 2016 due to insufficient evidence. The matter is now referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for central serous retinopathy in the right eye, retinal scar as secondary to CSR in the right eye, and headaches as secondary to CSR in the right eye.

Service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions secondary to thyroid cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for extensive burn scars of the neck and chest, finding that they pre-existed service and were not aggravated by military service. Service connection was granted for a sweat gland disorder with associated dyspnea, as it began during active service.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but denied service connection for right index finger laceration scars.

The Veteran is granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and assigned a rating of 70% effective January 30, 2014.,Effective January 30, 2014, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation. The evaluations assigned appear to overlap during the period of this appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for evaluations of his service-connected right ring finger status post fracture with scar and hand osteoarthritis, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle contraction headaches need to be remanded due to the lack of recent medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and scar due to a gunshot wound are remanded as the in-service stressors need to be verified, and an adequate nexus opinion is required. The Veteran's left leg scar also needs to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right leg amputation, and diabetes, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU as of May 17, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury, but denied service connection for burn scars on the face and neck.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his varicose veins and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of dental treatment with facial numbness and tingling was granted, resulting in a 30 percent initial rating.,Chronic sinusitis secondary to the dental treatment claim was also granted, with a 10 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left groin scar is granted as secondary to her service-connected left knee internal derangement and left femoral neuropathy. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to deficiencies in previous examinations and because of allegations of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression, is granted service connection. The scar residual of a hysterectomy prior to October 16, 2013, is also granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.

This decision dismisses the appeal for service connection of scarring above right eye. The Veteran's appeals on right arm/shoulder disability, right knee disability, hypertension, and TBI residuals are remanded.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a right arm/shoulder or right knee disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.,Hypertension is remanded due to the absence of relevant private medical records. The Veteran's TBI claim is also remanded as further evaluation is needed.