Scars decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for burn scars to the chest as there is no current diagnosis of a disability at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient financial and employment information provided by the Veteran, as well as the need for additional VA examinations. The TDIU claim is still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of a scar, residual of hernia repair prior to August 1, 2018, and an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for left inguinal hernia, including on an extraschedular basis, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral arm disability, back disability, disfiguring scar of the forehead, and burn scars of the right arm. The decision is pending further action by the Veteran's current representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ddd of the lumbar spine and a scar, secondary to plantar warts was denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted an initial 30 percent rating. His hallux valgus status post right bunionectomy with arthritis and scars status post bilateral bunionectomy were both denied. His plantar warts of the right foot claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left foot plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciitis with scar was denied. The highest schedular evaluation available is 30 percent, which has been assigned since May 26, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa was aggravated by service and has caused a left axilla scar, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is granted with a rating of 40 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Veteran's abdominal and back scars are not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Veteran's broken teeth or loss of teeth claim is granted, but service connection is denied. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for scars on the left hand and forearm is granted. The claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder osteoarthritis and bronchial asthma are denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty, and initial evaluations were denied as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depressive disorder, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left leg nerve impairment are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating exceeding 10 percent for service-connected residual scars due to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and actinic keratosis of the head, face, and neck is remanded as additional development is needed including a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residual scars of bilateral bunionectomies is granted, and the effective date for service connection for tinnitus is set at October 4, 2010.