Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is granted for a 10 percent rating for corneal scarring, but denied for a higher rating for visual impairment or incapacitating episodes due to keratoconus and related conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and mid-chest scar are being remanded for further evaluation due to the length of time since his last VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing flatfoot disability was aggravated by his military service. The appeal seeking service connection for scars on the right great toe is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims were granted, and he was awarded evaluations for various conditions. The Board also found that some issues required further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his tracheotomy scar. The Veteran’s PTSD claim is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of peripheral arterial disease and scar was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in July 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not permanent and total as of September 20, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for her Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits cannot be earlier than September 20, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his PTSD and prostate cancer do not prevent him from working.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded these cases for further development.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 8, 2009 for the award of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with scars. The December 1970 rating decision denying service connection was not reversed or revised on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's service connection claims for a skin disorder of the back and right ear basal cell carcinoma were denied. The increased rating claim for ischemic heart disease was also denied.,Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was not rated higher than 10 percent from February 17, 2011, to April 8, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a combined total disability rating greater than 100 percent, finding that his service connected disabilities already warranted a 100% combined rating.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left lateral abdomen and right hand are rated at a maximum of 10 percent each, granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand and shoulder injuries, diabetes mellitus type II, and malaria, have rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates for the service-connected scar (nose) were denied. The Board found no evidence of disfigurement or instability in the nose scar that would warrant higher ratings prior to March 13, 2017 or thereafter. Service connection was also denied for asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, type II, lumbar spine disorder, right-leg and left-leg disorders, sinusitis, and skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased PTSD rating is dismissed. Service connection for a right shoulder AC joint disorder and initial compensable rating for tension headaches are granted, but the issue of service connection for a fifth right shoulder scar remains pending.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of L4-S1 spinal fusion with residual scar and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with postoperative residuals of L4-S1 spinal fusion with residual scar need to be remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.