Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted based on the benefit of doubt and his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left knee scar, finding that there was no objective evidence of painful or unstable scars. The noncompensable rating currently assigned under Diagnostic Code 7805 is considered appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, ischemic heart disease, and various gunshot wound residuals, have resulted in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The temporary total ratings for right and left knee surgeries were also denied as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, knee scars, and TBI. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's scars are rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board does not find it meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar scars, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and lumbar degenerative disc disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea have also been dismissed.

The Board has found entitlement to a TDIU granted as of May 1, 2007. The claim for TDIU prior to May 1, 2007 is still on appeal and must be considered under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (b).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,Service connection is granted for a lower-gastrointestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome).,Service connection is denied for sleep issues and disturbances (insomnia/dyssomnia, sleep apnea).,Service connection is denied for acne.,Service connection is denied for keloid scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: PTSD, lumbar pain, vision damage with eye fluttering/blurriness, and facial scarring shrapnel injury. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral flatfeet, right shoulder condition, retina atrophy, and retina scar due to insufficient evidence or lack of a clear indication that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee scar, residual of shell fragment wound, from August 30, 2004, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating due to moderately severe disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings is remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation of his lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disabilities, and scarring. The goal is to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hand 5th digit deformity has been withdrawn. The Board also remanded the cases of rating in excess of 20 percent for residual scars, left shoulder, status post-surgical repair and rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder labrum tear, status post-surgical repair.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and scar are being remanded for further evaluation due to the age of the last examination, reports of progressive worsening, and missing relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist scar, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus are denied as there was no prior claim or entitlement to these conditions prior to January 24, 2018. The effective date is set at the date of claim, January 24, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right-hand scar and lumbar strain were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, are appropriate given the severity of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed residual penile scar. The issues include service connection, evaluation of hernia disability prior to June 30, 2017, and TDIU.