Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar from his laceration to the base of his right fifth finger is not characterized by pain or instability. The Veteran has been granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but left ear hearing loss was not diagnosed for VA benefits purposes. Service connection for both conditions remains pending.

An effective date of August 31, 2004, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. A 30 percent rating for bilateral knee postoperative scars beginning October 28, 2013, but not prior, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and scars behind both ears were denied. The criteria for higher ratings were not met based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his scars on the right lower extremity was denied. The highest rating of 30 percent has been assigned, which is the maximum allowed under DC 7804.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear basal cell carcinoma, a skin condition on the back (including chloracne and scar residuals), and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's exposure to toxic herbicide agents in service is presumed.

The Veteran's right knee scars are rated at a 10 percent effective April 28, 2014. The scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are not deep or nonlinear and do not cause any functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for bilateral knee disabilities and a scar of the left knee due to insufficient consideration of ankylosis of the knees, as well as inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral arm deformity, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability during the pendency of the claim.,For left little finger, disjointed with scar, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from October 18, 2008 through November 17, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The decision is based on the severity of his back strain and depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right shoulder conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 1, 2009 to August 19, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, left ankle sprain and fracture residuals, and left ankle scar, are found to be sufficient to prevent the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective July 3, 2019. The bilateral foot scar and tissue damage and undiagnosed illness and unexplained chronic-multi-symptom illness claims have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral lichen planus and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted for the period from October 1, 2009 to August 7, 2013 due to dormant lichen planus with residual scarring. From August 7, 2013 onwards, a 30 percent rating was granted for bilateral lichen planus. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it manifested without polyps or significant nasal obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for PTSD are denied. The claim for brain tumor with scar is remanded.

The Veteran's anterior chest scars, associated with heart surgery, are rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not necessitate the need for aid and attendance, as he is able to perform most of his daily activities independently.

The Veteran's pleural plaques with COPD and chronic pleural effusion are rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2018. Special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound status prior to December 14, 2018, is moot due to the award of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her scar on the right heel is denied as she does not have more than two painful scars of the right foot, and her scars do not cover an area of 929 square centimeters or more.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her scar on the medial right foot is denied as her scars do not cover an area of 929 square centimeters or more.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her neuropathy of the right foot is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8523.