Scars Board decisions

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, but granted service connection for bilateral ulnar neuropathy (CTS or CTS) as the Veteran currently has a disability manifested by the same symptoms of bilateral hand pain and decreased dexterity that were manifested during service. The other issues remained in denial.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis and residual scars from surgery, was evaluated at a 10% rating since June 11, 2012. The reduction to noncompensable was upheld.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder and acne with scarring.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition improved, warranting a reduction from 20% to 10%. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and right occipital area shrapnel wound scar are of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which reflects the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment. The claim for increased ratings remains denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left finger disability and any forearm and forearm scar involvement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure all relevant medical records and to readjudicate his claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a DRO hearing and issuance of an SOC regarding her claims for higher initial ratings for left hand CTS, right hand CTS, and left hand scar due to CTS.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection, ratings for various hip and knee disabilities, and a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of kidney cancer and surgical scarring secondary to kidney cancer are both granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin cancers and its residuals, including a scar on the right lower extremity. The effective dates are set at December 5, 2006 for the initial grant of service connection for multiple skin cancers and May 16, 2011 for the scars. The rating assigned is 90% for the multiple skin cancers.

The Veteran's vascular disorder of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted service connection. The Veteran's ventral hernia, status post ventral herniorrhapy with residual scarring, and his obstructive sleep apnea have also been granted service connection.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes, lumbar spine hypertrophic osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), and erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD have all been denied. The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity) and left upper extremity, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ have also been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers in the ileum (claimed as abdominal pain with Crohn's disease, irritable colon syndrome, or ulcerative colitis) and sleep apnea have all been granted.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was denied because the Under Secretary for Health or his designee did not certify that he used prosthetic or orthopedic appliances that tend to wear or tear on clothing due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling and he has sufficient additional service-connected disabilities to bring his combined rating to 80 percent; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment. The criteria for TDIU are met.

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

The Veteran's left knee injuries and DJD are currently rated based on their service-connected status.,A separate rating is granted for the history of a partial meniscectomy in the left knee.