Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's varicose veins and right leg scars have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent, while his PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on the evidence showing his unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the remaining claims on appeal, including service connection for sleep apnea and cutaneous lupus and skin cancer.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for scar associated with residuals of removal of right testicle.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for several awards and evaluations need to be reconsidered, as well as the evaluation of craniotomy post auricular with bone loss associated with residuals of status post translabyrinthitis resection. The other issues are being remanded due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for blackouts has been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,His claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound to the right buttock, muscle group XVII, is also denied.

The Board has remanded both issues related to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fragment wounds to the left forearm with graft. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for these conditions, and additional VA examinations are needed to determine the extent of his current functional limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for his service-connected skin disabilities in August 2017. The Court found that the Board failed to provide adequate reasons and bases for its findings, particularly regarding non-dermatological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and impaired social functioning due to the skin condition. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development and compliance with instructions set forth in the October 2018 Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

Service connection is granted for parenchymal scarring, but the issue of service connection for asthma remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's gunshot wound scars to the left calf, arm, and thigh are currently rated at 20% under DC 7804. The evidence does not show that these scars meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury and to address his complaints of light sensitivity, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his right inguinal hernia is remanded due to the possibility of recurrence and associated scarring.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his residual scars as secondary to postoperative residuals of right inguinal hernia is also remanded due to the possibility of further surgery and additional scarring.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective date claims related to TBI residuals, headache disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD with depressive disorder, and left eyebrow scar residuals. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder; and entitlement to total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve was granted service connection effective December 24, 2014.,A scar of the right leg was also granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The rating for this condition is currently at 10%.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder received a 10% disability rating effective December 24, 2013.,GERD and IBS were granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for these conditions.

The Veteran's left eye disability is rated at 40 percent, which includes traumatic glaucoma with status post endophthalmitis and other conditions. The appeal for increased evaluations and service connection remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hemorrhoids. The right inguinal hernia scar claim is also pending as there are no clear periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.