Scars decisions — 2019

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and other disabilities, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The decision is denied as his unemployability is primarily due to a non-service connected stroke.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for frostbite residuals of the right foot, status-post amputation of the toes with Muscle Group X involvement, and residual scarring have been denied. The current assigned ratings are considered adequate to reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a right hand disability, neck condition, sleep apnea, esophagus condition, hernia disability, head scar, and TBI are remanded.

The DIC claim is denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years prior to his death. The cause of death claim is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the hands, right foot gouty arthritis, arthritis of the neck, sinus disability, respiratory disability (asthma and/or shortness of breath), acid reflux, and facial scar. The Board found that none of these claims were supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on the effective date of July 14, 2011. The Board has determined that a retrospective evaluation is needed to assess the severity of his conditions from their initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 10 percent rating for service-connected residuals scars of the right heel from March 1, 2015 is granted. The application to reopen a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including an aortic aneurysm and associated scars, were granted effective July 7, 2016. The claims for these conditions were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot fracture with residual scar need to be re-evaluated due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, while the rating for his burn scars residuals remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right anterior trunk scar, residual of inguinal hernia surgery, is rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar is painful and meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left leg tumor with scar, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an eye condition, to include burns and scarring, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for residuals of shrapnel fragments on the left upper back is granted, with a combined rating of 10 percent for both scars.

The Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia, residual scar from the surgery, and pinched nerve in his right lower extremity have been granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent each for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran is denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran's testimony regarding its onset in-service is credible.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on remand include broken right hand, low back disability, left knee injury, TBI with residual effects and cognitive disorder, and a scar. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for disfigurement and pain due to a service-connected neck scar, finding that the preponderance of the evidence was against his claims.