Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service stressor and that the preexisting scars on the left arm and knee were not aggravated by service.,There is no indication of any exposure to Agent Orange or Camp Lejeune, and there are no findings regarding any other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 13, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left foot hallux rigidus, with hammertoes; residuals of a right hip replacement with residual scar; and right knee degenerative joint disease with residual scar.

The Board found that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident were not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct and intoxication, resulting in denial of service connection for all three conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tension headaches and multiple shoulder injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of inguinal hernia, including keloid scar as there is no evidence that her current condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's chest disability, including CABG scars and chest pain, is rated at 30 percent since November 4, 2015. Prior to that date, the scars were not painful or unstable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his limitations are considered in the combined rating. The preponderance of evidence does not support TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than April 29, 2014 for the grant of service connection for traumatic painful scars of the right index finger and thumb. The Board has determined that this claim was not filed prior to January 23, 2013.,The Veteran is also seeking TDIU since August 22, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for keloid scars and has also determined that he is entitled to service connection for these scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chorioretinitis of the left eye and left eye retinal scarring, to include as secondary to chorioretinitis due to a lack of addressing in the Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has reconsidered the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, residuals of a recurrent anal fissure, sarcoidosis with sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and cyst removal scar. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder; service connection for insomnia; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational background since July 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his status post discectomy L3-4 with scar and TDIU due to PTSD has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for the service-connected condition, which meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

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.