Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for increased special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and a skin condition of the nose and back, as new evidence was received that relates to these conditions. The Veteran's other claims have been decided.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability and residuals of prostatitis for further examination to determine if service connection can be established due to potential aggravation by a service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his mental and physical limitations limit his occupational opportunities but are not shown to be such as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. TDIU is granted beginning December 30, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected Morton’s neuroma with residual scar, right foot is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her disability and remand the issue for readjudication.

The Board has determined that there is equipoise of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current chronic respiratory disorder is due to his active service, including in-service asbestos exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his appendectomy scar and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, as well as consideration of a TDIU claim. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for left foot drop and a disability characterized by brain scarring are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower right arm scar, and back pain with stiffness are not granted. The cases have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and denied service connection for keloid scars of the right arm, left ear, and chest. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for scarring of the right foot but denied service connection for a right leg disability other than scarring of the right foot. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing that the current right leg condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a scar of the left axilla and post-herniorrhaphy scars have been denied as there is no evidence of painful or unstable scars, which are required for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's scars of the upper right extremity, chest scar, and right hand scar are rated at a separate disability rating of 20 percent each. The Veteran's perforated eardrum residuals remain noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left forearm disability, and right knee disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment prior to May 12, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information about the appellant's periods of active duty and inactive duty, as well as the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected facial and hand scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board has also denied service connection for his low back disorder, with issues remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right groin scar, umbilicus scar, and peri-umbilical area scars are granted 10 percent ratings effective August 24, 2010, September 15, 2010, and September 15, 2010 respectively. A separate 10 percent rating for ilio-inguinal neuropathy is granted effective January 26, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy and scar, residuals of injury to dorsum of left hand, are not service-connected. The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy is denied as there is no evidence linking it to an in-service event or disease. His scar is granted a 10% rating.