Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and PTSD, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's death was presumed to be due to his service-connected schizophrenia, thus qualifying him for burial benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left total knee arthroplasty with surgical scars are rated at 60 percent effective June 1, 2009. Effective that date, the Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and painful scar on the left knee are rated at various levels. The current ratings for these conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's right upper extremity scar is rated at 10 percent, effective August 31, 2009. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate development, including a lack of an examination addressing the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for each of the Veteran's service-connected right and left leg post-compartment syndrome disabilities, effective July 28, 2008.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and/or medical opinion regarding his housebound status or aid and attendance needs, as raised by his arguments in his brief and submitted evidence.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the service-connected facial injury on the basis of nerve damage, and denied a compensable rating based on scarring.

The Veteran's right hand middle finger injury (arthritis) is rated at 10 percent prior to April 19, 2012 and a painful scar on the right hand is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's left leg scar associated with the open reduction and internal fixation of his left femur fracture is rated at 10 percent since June 11, 2013. The Veteran's left hip disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease are both currently rated as 30 and 10 percent disabling respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right hand disability and post-fracture left femur with associated scars and knee disability.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is rated at 60 percent, the maximum allowable rating under voiding dysfunction. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined evaluation of service-connected disabilities is less than 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral posterior vitreous detachment is service-connected, but his other eye disabilities and left knee disability are not. The Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 3, 2010, or a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities and for proper rating determinations.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's painful scarring, as a residual of a left pneumothorax and thoracotomy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for additional development of his claims, including VA examinations and the acquisition of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's disabilities are not considered to be an employment handicap, and he has been able to maintain stable employment since 2006. Therefore, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation services.