Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, prostate cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, and scar associated with prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new allegations of worsening symptoms by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, sinus, and skin disabilities due to conflicting evidence in the record. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee scar, an evaluation of 30 percent for vertigo, and an evaluation of 20 percent for two scars on the left knee and a scar on right ankle are all granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from sedentary employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The issues of new and material evidence for hearing loss, back condition, bilateral knee condition, head trauma and scarring, and vision problem are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a renal cyst, asthma, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and cervical spondylosis is remanded due to insufficient development. The Veteran will need updated VA treatment records, an opinion on whether her current asthma is related to service, and examinations for her left shoulder, cervical, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability evaluation, and his scars are each granted a 10 percent disability evaluation. The application to reopen claims for service connection for various joints and hips is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, low back pain, and a residual scar on the head have been reopened. The appeals are granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's claim for right carpal tunnel was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss, right ear was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss, right ear is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA standards.,Service connection for surgical scars, bilateral shoulders is denied as they do not meet disabling effects under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, corneal scarring as a residual of right eye keratitis, tinea versicolor, and residuals of a right thumb fracture due to incomplete development. The Veteran is encouraged to provide information about all sources of private medical care during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection is dismissed as moot because the earliest possible effective date, November 1, 2012, has already been granted. The Board finds no error of fact or law to consider.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, a bilateral knee disability, a low back disability, and a burn scar of the left shoulder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed in-service and have continued to present post-service.

The appeal for higher initial and extra-schedular disability ratings for a right eye corneal scar is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and further development of the record.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right leg injury (scar), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran did not meet the requirements for exposure to herbicides for Air Force veterans who served on or near the perimeter of air bases in Thailand.,The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus type II during service, and there was no credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his right knee scar disability rating from 10% to 0% effective October 1, 2015 has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected scars over the right eye and behind the left ear are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of visible or palpable tissue loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits due to his not having a serious employment handicap and his eligibility period ending on August 11, 2008.