Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD. Other issues related to initial ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected back and heart disorders are being remanded due to outstanding medical records. She is seeking earlier effective dates for the 20 and 30 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful bilateral shoulder scars was denied. The Veteran also appealed for a compensable rating for his bilateral shoulder scars, rated on impairment other than painful scars, which was also denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder scar was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left leg length discrepancy and low back scar were denied as there was no evidence showing the conditions warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a TDIU effective March 14, 2016.,VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his left shoulder scar. The Veteran was granted service connection on March 14, 2016, when he filed his claim for a TDIU.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability and left shoulder scar remains pending as the Board has remanded these issues.,VA denied the Veteran's request to connect his right wrist disorder with service. The issue is currently under review by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, iron deficiency anemia, and scar status post (s/p) umbilicoplasty are all denied. The claim for a compensable rating for uterine fibroids is remanded.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for her service-connected conditions of hemorrhoids, iron deficiency anemia, and scar status post (s/p) umbilicoplasty. Her claims for these conditions remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow disability, finding that it is not related to active service or the Veteran's service-connected left clavicle disability.,Service connection was also denied for additional eye disability claimed as pigment dispersion syndrome/Krukenberg spindle with peripheral corneal scars (previously claimed as refractive error), due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were denied as they were not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct during a motor vehicle accident (MVA). The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran was not evaluated as totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee meniscal tear and anterior cruciate tear was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.,The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's varicose veins were rated at 10 percent each leg. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to relief by elevation and compression hosiery.,The Veteran's scar, left knee status post-surgery was rated at 0 percent as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, he may be eligible for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right long finger, subluxation PIP joint status post dislocation with residual scar and entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for temporomandibular joint dysfunction due to new and more recent evidence.,No effective date is provided as the appeal remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for a combined 100% rating prior to August 31, 2010 was denied as the effective date of the award of a combined rating of 100% is correctly set at August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and scar, right knee were denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for minimal scarring and small, superior retraction pocket, right tympanic membrane and service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's facial scars were restored to a 30 percent rating effective March 1, 2016. A higher rating was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of a colostomy and an increased rating for appendectomy scar as they were withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Type II Diabetes Mellitus and remanded other issues related to knee disabilities. The reduction in combined rating from 100% to 90% was found to be proper, but reinstatement is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained a stab wound to his right foot in service, resulting in a scar. The evidence supports this finding and thus service connection for residuals of the stab wound is granted.