Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in December 2014, and he did not appeal. The effective date of the grants was set at February 22, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for a painful surgical scar of the left index finger was granted with an evaluation of 10 percent effective January 15, 2018. He requested an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 40 percent from March 1, 2013 due to ankylosis of the major extremity.,The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating for his right wrist disability prior to August 15, 2012 and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for narcolepsy and a total abdominal hysterectomy with scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals.,Her claim for headache disorder is granted, but she needs to provide additional evidence regarding her asthma, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining federal records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her claims for an increased rating and opposition to the proposed reduction in her right shoulder condition rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and TDIU have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his right knee scar and overall disability rating have been dismissed as they are attempts to establish freestanding claims, not appeals of final decisions.

The Veteran's initial rating for a facial scar is denied, with an effective date of July 31, 2014.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful facial scar is denied, with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, neck, and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his abdominal scar and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his painful scar, right lower abdomen, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gall bladder removal scars has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from March 1, 2017 onward due to service-connected disabilities. However, the case is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU should be awarded from October 1, 2013 to March 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GIST, gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and a painful surgical scar due to potential secondary effects from his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left eye disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 12, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and thereafter has been denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. For TDIU, the Veteran's sole service-connected disability is not rated at least 40 percent disabling when combined with any non-service connected disabilities, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2014. From December 31, 2014, the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records regarding his bilateral ocular hypertension. The original decision denied a higher rating for his painful scar on the neck, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for a disfiguring scar beginning July 29, 2016.

The Veteran's lung disability, including a granuloma of the right lung with scarring, is granted as service connected due to asbestos exposure during active duty.