Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied all other claims.,PTSD was previously denied and is not being reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, recurrent pneumothoraces, COPD with emphysema, and scarring, fibrosis, or interstitial change on chest X-ray. The Board found no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos or resolved pneumonia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of updated VA treatment records and for another VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right foot callosities, status post surgeries, and bilateral feet surgical scars.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 16, 2012, for service connection of scars, right foot is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for scars, right foot is remanded.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's osteopenia is granted as secondary to his service-connected seizures.,The Veteran's facial scars are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for scar tissue entrapment of the left ulnar nerve has been granted. However, his claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with anxiety (previously diagnosed as a sleep disorder) prior to July 1, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding sleep apnea, tinnitus, a respiratory disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including PTSD and residual wounds. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 27, 2015. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's anterior chest scar is tender and painful, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver tumor, high blood pressure, and hemorrhoids. The claim for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also denied. The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current miscarriage residuals or gynecological disabilities.

The Veteran's lung condition, characterized by lung scarring and calcified pleural plaques, was evaluated as noncompensable (0%) from August 24, 2015 to June 27, 2017. Beginning June 27, 2017, a 30% evaluation for the condition is granted.

The Board has reopened several previously denied claims but has not granted service connection for any of the conditions. The decision is mixed, with some issues being remanded and others having new evidence received that does not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder and a scar on the tongue as there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist/hand scar with vitiligo. The Veteran is responsible for reporting for this examination.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed it. The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right-hand scar is not painful or unstable, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating for the right-hand scar has been denied.

The Veteran's rectal fistula, status post tear repair is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent. The Veteran's rectum scar associated with rectal fistula status post tear repair is granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran also asserts that his PTSD has worsened, necessitating a reevaluation of his TDIU claim.