Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to October 23, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim is dismissed from October 23, 2015 onwards as he has reached a combined schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,A 10% rating for the right wrist disability from December 2, 2012 is granted. The Veteran also has two painful scars of the right knee that are rated at 10%. However, a higher rating for the right wrist disability remains pending due to additional issues needing clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left foot scar due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, as well as his earlier effective dates for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and scars on the right scapula are remanded. Additionally, he is seeking increased ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for cut injury, right fifth finger flexor tendon and residual scar, right fifth finger flexor tendon have been denied as the medical evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left breast biopsy residual scar are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, TBI, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder, and scars. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from April 7, 2014, through April 11, 2014, are denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a right foot scar is denied, and an increased rating of up to 20 percent for his right foot disability prior to February 22, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent from that date to March 8, 2019 is also denied.

The Board denied an increased rating above 10 percent for corneal scars, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such a rating based on incapacitating episodes or other criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, thrombocytopenia, cyst removal scar, and fungal infection of the feet. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's left wrist condition and its associated scar.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The right hand scar is rated as non-compensable due to its area being less than 39 square centimeters and not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7801.,The right hand laceration of extensor tendon, status post repair does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of moderately-severe or severe impairment.,The right shoulder arthritis, impingement syndrome and strain do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent due to the Veteran's range of motion exceeding below shoulder height during flare-ups.,Service connection for residuals, status post avulsion of left fifth toenail with skin flap is remanded as there is no evidence that the current disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to attempt verification of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: a compensable rating for the Veteran's scar and service connection for brain lesions due to spider bite. Additional development is needed in both cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The scar and shortening of the left lower extremity are rated at 10% each, while the status post-operative fracture is rated at 30%. These ratings are not higher than what was assigned.