Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased ratings for his leg disabilities, and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or that the Veteran's leg disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for a left forearm scar and denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Service connection was not established for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The current effective date is not provided.,For the period prior to June 24, 2003, the Veteran received a 10 percent disability rating for his coronary artery disease. No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of workload greater than 5 METs or cardiac hypertrophy/dilation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,For the period from November 1, 2003 to January 23, 2006, the Veteran received a 60 percent disability rating for his coronary artery disease. No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure, workload less than 3 METs, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.,For the period prior to July 12, 2011, the Veteran received a noncompensable disability rating for his painful scars. No higher rating is warranted as none of the scars were unstable or painful.,From July 12, 2011, the Veteran received a compensable disability rating (20 percent) for his painful scars. The current effective date is not provided.

The Veteran's laceration scars on the index and long fingers of the right hand are rated at 10 percent, effective October 23, 2008. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a left thumb laceration and scar was granted with an effective date of April 29, 1947.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of condyloma accuminata with anal stricture are currently rated as 0 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a rating of 30 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of CUE and earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for various conditions was dismissed because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 21, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 4, 2010.

The Veteran's eye conditions, including dry eye syndrome, corneal foreign body of the right eye, and incipient cataracts, are not related to service. However, he has a current right eye corneal scar that is considered a residual from an in-service injury.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft with scar residuals, is currently rated at 10 percent. His left pyelonephritis with scar residual has no current residuals and was previously service-connected. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7017 or DC 7509.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for new examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chorioretinal scar with floaters was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's loss of use of his right eye is due to his service-connected residuals of right eye injury with corneal scars and retained foreign bodies, and thus grants entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the right eye.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU for the conditions listed, citing that he had been granted a 100 percent disability rating for his heart condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability is manifested by limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found CUE in a previous rating decision and awarded a separate compensable evaluation for residual scars from laparotomy, effective from August 31, 2018. As this award is considered a full grant of the benefit sought, the claim for an earlier effective date is dismissed.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current eye disorders and his service, including an infection during service. The most probative medical opinions concluded that any connection is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture with limitation of motion, two painful scars, and mild ulnar neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal is granted for these ratings.