Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and corneal conditions due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests that he provide additional information and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, and cholecystectomy scar (gallbladder removal) have been denied.,There is no effective date prior to April 22, 2015 assigned for these grants of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for a hematoma of the right thigh and scar of the right lower leg is granted. However, his claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include supraventricular arrhythmias, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to work for over a year with substantial disability ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability, including rating higher than 10 percent for back disability and rating higher than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The claims are also remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pregnancy and miscarriage. The Court has now ordered a remand due to incomplete records from her Vet Center treatment.

The Veteran's tinea cruris, left ankle scar, right shoulder strain, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for right hand finger laceration, residual scar is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation of hypertension during service, and that there was no evidence to show that any other conditions claimed by the Veteran had been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and left chest scar have been granted ratings. The valvular heart disease is rated at 60 percent from May 3, 2015 to August 28, 2017.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of left calf varicose vein disorder was granted. Service connection is also established for this condition. The claims for scar on mouth and nose, back disorder, and contact dermatitis were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for residuals of meningitis was also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right eye corneal scarring is not service-connected, and his left hip and knee degenerative joint disease are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her claims of service connection for various conditions, including burn scars of the face, depression and anxiety disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, sarcoidosis, left hand condition, and facial twitches.,Effective date prior to January 21, 2014, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened and a new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound, left scapula.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for scars, residuals of acne vulgaris is denied as there was no evidence of worsening prior to the filing of his claim on February 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for right shoulder arthroplasty with scars and for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in September 2009 and September 2013. The Veteran is required to be afforded new VA examinations to assess his current disability status.