Scars Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and bilateral eye disabilities. The evidence received since the February 1990 rating decision is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, including ocular trauma.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, including limitation of motion and neurologic symptoms, warrants a rating of 30 percent from April 30, 2012 forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including scheduling a VA foot examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a VA scars examination to assess the current severity of her left forearm and forehead scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the June 2014 SOC, including two August 2015 VA examinations addressing the Veteran's hand and scars. The claims will be readjudicated in light of this additional evidence.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined disability rating of 70 percent from February 27, 2013 onward, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU for the entire appeals period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left hand neuropathy, deviated nasal septum, and residual scar on bridge of nose have been denied. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected deviated nasal septum.,There are no issues in controversy regarding sinusitis as it was found to be associated with the Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, right ankle disability, and scar over the left eye were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to service.,There is no competent evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the nose, forehead, and right cheek, as well as his frontal scalp scar, do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of residuals of a left fibula fracture, a left shoulder scar, and residuals of a shrapnel burn to the back. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and rated appropriately based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of the residuals of right wrist scar was denied. The Board found that the first formal or informal claim for this condition was received on July 31, 2012.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was also denied. The VA medical examinations did not find any painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and increased ratings in various conditions, with some issues resulting in new and material evidence being submitted.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's status-post ventral herniorrhaphy with residual scar prior to November 21, 2011. As of January 1, 2012, a 20% rating was granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's facial skin disorder, including scars from cystic acne and subsequent surgical interventions, was rated at 80% since January 18, 2013. The evidence did not support a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for scars related to the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound and abdominal scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peptic ulcer and resulting stomach scar are not etiologically related to service.