Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right hand index finger and middle finger scars did not manifest in pain, instability, or other compensable symptoms prior to July 8, 2013. Therefore, earlier effective dates for the disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's annual clothing allowance based on static qualifying disability is restored due to the continued use of a prescribed hinged knee brace and topical ointments that cause damage to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and treatment records, requiring a new assessment of the Veteran's left knee scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to bilateral ankles, knees, hips, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than August 20, 2014 for service connection of a painful scar of the left fifth finger as secondary to degenerative osteoarthritis, residuals, dislocation on the left fifth finger. The earliest effective date that can be granted is August 20, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU, which satisfies his appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back disability, left knee disability, and heart disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia is not rated as compensable, but a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the scar associated with the herniorrhaphy.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of prostate cancer remains at 40 percent since September 1, 2017. The issue is still pending as the RO did not grant a full increase.,Scars associated with prostate cancer are currently rated noncompensable and remain under appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's left hip, right hip, lung condition with shortness of breath and breathing problems, shrapnel wound to the forehead, and left middle finger conditions are all denied.

The Veteran's facial scars are granted a 30% rating, and his PTSD is granted a TDIU. Other claims have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal fusion, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal fusion, and scars (left lower anterior neck and lower back) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for skin cancer, residuals of right breast cancer, scar of the right breast, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the shrapnel wound and scar associated with it was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation between August 9, 2007 and October 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically whether it is related to service or an undiagnosed illness. Additional development and a new VA examination are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 29, 2014 did not preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualify him.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back disability, have rendered him unemployable as of September 5, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left elbow injury and scar of the left forearm.