Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's osteopenia is granted as secondary to his service-connected seizures.,The Veteran's facial scars are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for scar tissue entrapment of the left ulnar nerve has been granted. However, his claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with anxiety (previously diagnosed as a sleep disorder) prior to July 1, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding sleep apnea, tinnitus, a respiratory disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including PTSD and residual wounds. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 27, 2015. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's anterior chest scar is tender and painful, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver tumor, high blood pressure, and hemorrhoids. The claim for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also denied. The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current miscarriage residuals or gynecological disabilities.

The Veteran's lung condition, characterized by lung scarring and calcified pleural plaques, was evaluated as noncompensable (0%) from August 24, 2015 to June 27, 2017. Beginning June 27, 2017, a 30% evaluation for the condition is granted.

The Board has reopened several previously denied claims but has not granted service connection for any of the conditions. The decision is mixed, with some issues being remanded and others having new evidence received that does not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder and a scar on the tongue as there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist/hand scar with vitiligo. The Veteran is responsible for reporting for this examination.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed it. The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right-hand scar is not painful or unstable, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating for the right-hand scar has been denied.

The Veteran's rectal fistula, status post tear repair is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent. The Veteran's rectum scar associated with rectal fistula status post tear repair is granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran also asserts that his PTSD has worsened, necessitating a reevaluation of his TDIU claim.

The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a neck disability is allowed.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a scar of the left eye is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability, to include insignificant retinal pigment deposits and myopic astigmatism in the right eye (also claimed as benign neoplasm of chorial nevus) is denied.,As new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left eye disability, other than a scar of the left eye and to include insignificant retinal pigment deposits and myopic astigmatism in the left eye (also claimed as benign neoplasm of chorial nevus), the appeal to this extent is allowed.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability, also claimed as nerve damage, is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), to include alcohol abuse, anxiety condition, drug abuse, memory loss, mental disorder, and major depression, is denied.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted. The appeal as to the claim of service connection for burn scars of the right forearm and face is moot, and the claim is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability were denied. The claim for a higher rating for the scar on his right side of the face with paresthesia was also denied.,Service connection for the cause of death due to bladder cancer resulting from diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted.