Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 8, 2017. The VA has remanded the cases for further development regarding her left knee and left lower extremity scars.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection claims related to various conditions. The Board also granted service connection for TBI with manifestations of headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left testicle scars has been denied. The Board found that the scars are not unstable or have a total area greater than 39 square centimeters, and thus do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's high cholesterol is not a disability for VA benefits purposes.,The Veteran's hepatitis C has no associated symptoms and does not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 7345 or 7354.,The Veteran’s scar, left side of face, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as it is not manifested by visible or palpable tissue loss or characteristics of disfigurement.,The Veteran’s scar, left thigh, does not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7801.,The Veteran’s hyperpigmented scars over the right shoulder and right clavicle area do not meet the criteria for an increased rating as they are not manifested by visible or palpable tissue loss or characteristics of disfigurement.,The Veteran’s painful scars, head to toe, do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent as they are not manifested by five or more unstable or painful scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (asbestosis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, status post right inguinal hernia repair, anxiety reaction, and lumbar spine scar) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease is granted at a 10 percent level prior to March 12, 2015 and in excess of 30 percent since then. The Veteran's CABG scar receives an initial compensable rating (10%) as of March 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a scar under his lip is remanded due to the need for an examination to determine if it is related to in-service injury, including shrapnel from a grenade during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right foot calcaneal spur, closed fracture fifth left metatarsal base, lumbar myositis, nose surgery/rhinitis, right inguinal herniorrhaphy, and depression due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear scarring and lack of evaluation on muscle injury, nerve impairment, limitation of motion, and associated symptoms.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the periods prior to March 25, 2005 and from March 25, 2005. The issue of TDIU from May 26, 1999 to March 24, 2005 was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension, left stomach scar, and allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded to consider additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for left wrist scars, dermatitis of bilateral lower extremities, a lower abdominal muscle strain, respiratory disorder (rhinitis and sinusitis), and an acquired psychiatric condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information provided by a previous VA examination, which did not adequately assess the Veteran's service-connected scar and its associated disabling effects.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are granted with maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The left shoulder scar is denied compensation above the non-compensable rating. Other disabilities have either been granted or denied in their entirety.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar stenosis, cervical scoliosis (claimed as neck pain), right eye macular scar and hole, and traumatic brain injury.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including back pain, radiculopathy, and knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability, residuals of a right rib resection, and right flank scar. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to May 29, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for acne and polymorphous light eruption with residual scarring is being remanded due to the addition of post-service medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left eye chorioretinal scar.