Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist disability, scars of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and residuals of a fracture to the right long finger are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and the reopening of a tinnitus claim. The tobacco use disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence it is related to active service other than in-service cigarette smoking.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand burn scar, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the pre-existing condition worsened during service. The weight of evidence does not support an aggravation by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver cancer and right hand scar (claimed as due to a bayonet wound) are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to ensure substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The appeals are related to increased ratings for various musculoskeletal disorders, including anxiety disorder, broken fingers, ankle issues, and cold injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to the lack of recent VA examinations.

The January 1968 rating decision denied the Veteran's implicit claim for TDIU, as it continued his existing disability ratings and did not address the unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board's decision is partially vacated due to procedural deficiencies and the issues of temporary total evaluation for a left knee disorder and increased rating for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to December 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral chest scars is remanded due to inconsistencies in the number of scars reported on prior examinations and a need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service connection for diverticulitis. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, traumatic brain injury; psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder; and an initial compensable rating for left index finger scar. The Board found no current residuals of a TBI or evidence of a psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder. The left index finger scar was rated as noncompensable due to lack of painful or unstable characteristics.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, headaches, depression, tinnitus, hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and scars, significantly impair his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for head scars, headache disability, TBI, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has restored a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's residual scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repair effective January 15, 2019. The condition was previously rated at 10 percent due to pain and reduced to 0 percent based on an examination indicating no pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various psychiatric, digestive, musculoskeletal, and skin conditions claimed by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again after these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral scars on the toes and sarcoma/lipoma due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.