Scars decisions — 2019

The Board found the Veteran's appeal was untimely for some issues and dismissed them. The claim for earlier effective date for liver condition is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable prior to January 14, 2014 and remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's linear scar associated with left inguinal hernia repair is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The broken right wrist is rated at 10 percent, while the traumatic scar laceration incomplete amputation of the right middle finger remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a macular scar and broken jaw due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's statements and VA treatment records indicate possible connections between these conditions and his service, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's left eye disorders, including cortical senile cataracts, macular scar, hyperopia, and astigmatism, were not incurred in service. The Board found no link between the current eye conditions and his service.

The Board has granted service connection for a facial scar of the left eyebrow and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are related to service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral pes planus (claimed as fallen arches) and hypertension (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder), but these cases have been remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dessicans was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the ongoing increased rating claims.

The Veteran's heart condition, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and non-ischemic conditions, was aggravated during his active service in Iraq. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also a result of his cardiac disability, which he developed during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle strain with degenerative osteoarthritic changes and service connection for a vestibular disability, to include vertigo and dizziness, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his skin conditions. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously-denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to his right knee brace and wheelchair, finding that neither caused significant wear and tear to his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2009, and a 10 percent evaluation thereafter. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU due to the lack of meeting schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lung disorder, keratosis of the whole body, and melanoma with scars due to insufficient medical opinions provided in September 2015. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence from VA records and private sources, arrange for an addendum opinion from a physician, and ensure all actions are taken in compliance with this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The restoration of a 30 percent rating for disfiguring chin and lip scars effective April 29, 2016 has also been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for residual appendix scar and left knee disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability is remanded, as well as his claims for service connection for circumcision residual scar.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the use of a left knee brace for calendar year 2018, but denied a clothing allowance for the use of a pain rub. The Veteran's service-connected GSW to the left thigh is linked to his need for a left knee brace.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeals period, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected anterior neck scar needs to be re-evaluated due to a duty-to-assist error in the previous rating decision. The AOJ must obtain color photographs of her scar and schedule an examination for a full evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine DDD are granted service connection, but the linear scar is denied. The case for lumbar spine DDD is remanded.