Scars decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for minimal scarring and small, superior retraction pocket, right tympanic membrane and service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's facial scars were restored to a 30 percent rating effective March 1, 2016. A higher rating was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of a colostomy and an increased rating for appendectomy scar as they were withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Type II Diabetes Mellitus and remanded other issues related to knee disabilities. The reduction in combined rating from 100% to 90% was found to be proper, but reinstatement is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained a stab wound to his right foot in service, resulting in a scar. The evidence supports this finding and thus service connection for residuals of the stab wound is granted.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, hearing loss, rosacea, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, residuals of liver transplant, surgical scar, and hepatic encephalitis were all denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for a right inguinal hernia and a compensable rating for scars, status post-surgical repair.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his current combined evaluation of 100 percent and lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and nose and left hand scars, was granted. The effective date of the increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left lower leg scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there may have been a worsening of his hearing since the last VA examination, and additional records are needed. The matter will also be remanded if more recent treatment records show diagnosed PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examination records including MRI results.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scarring, left toe injury (ingrown toenail), and right eye injury due to a lack of evidence showing permanent worsening or causation during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to a service-connected back condition. The Veteran's left knee scar is also granted as secondary to her bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The issue of an effective date prior to January 13, 2015, for the assignment of a combined rating of 100 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and surgical scar, lumbar region is remanded. The Veteran has not yet filed a notice of disagreement with the reduction of her left lower extremity radiculopathy rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, corneal scar of the right eye, and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for his scar and for monthly compensation have been dismissed as he has withdrawn from both matters.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including tinnitus, high cholesterol, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a facial scar. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to March 25, 2016 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a TDIU on a schedular basis and he could still secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period between February 1, 2012 and February 27, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 is denied.