Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's combined total disability rating is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right hand scar was denied. The Board found that the scar, which is less than 6 square inches in area and not painful or unstable, does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to procedural errors in the previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to issues with the August 2016 VA examination and the need for a new examination to accurately assess his disability level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to a request to participate in the RAMP program. The issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea. His skin disability ratings are denied, but he has a new rating of 20 percent for painful scars since May 5, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of motion, and residual scar have been remanded.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or aggravation since service discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for amputation of left index finger with re-attachment and residual scar, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches was not addressed by the Board.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his requests for service connection and other benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted TDIU from January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes two issues: a request for an increased rating for his left knee scars and another for his left knee osteoarthritis. Both claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examination for his left middle finger strain. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scars, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), and a respiratory disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for scars was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in December 2003. However, no new and material evidence was received within one year of the August 2003 denial for depression. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. A compensable rating of 10 percent for a painful scar from residuals of pilonidal cyst and a compensable rating of 10 percent for left-sided paresthesia status post pilonidal cyst excision were granted.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD was restored from March 1, 2016. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been rendered moot.