Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 10, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and a scar due to the bypass surgery has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to his home prior to October 31, 2017. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria was denied.

The Veteran's painful facial scars associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's disfiguring facial scars associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis are not rated higher than 30 percent.,The Veteran's loss of taste associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as service connection for surgical scars, were denied. His claim of service connection for a TBI was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision. The other issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's scarring of the head, face or neck is rated at 50 percent effective August 12, 2017. The rating for his malunion of the mandible remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative changes of the right hand and wrist, and scars of the right hand due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his left knee disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD, and residual scar related to the chin are being remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for aortic stenosis and scar from tracheostomy, but granted an increased rating for scars/surgical scars of the anterior trunk and painful scar of the anterior trunk. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's left nose scar is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbosacral spine strain remains at a 10 percent rating. The decision on the increased rating for lumbosacral spine strain was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 31, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left and right foot scars, as well as higher ratings for his hallux valgus conditions and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including heart disorder, various types of peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of osteochondroma of the right humerus, including scars is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar, status-post right hernia repairs, or for his bilateral hearing loss, right knee scar, tinnitus, PTSD, status-post right knee replacement, or chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his service-connected right ankle disability and any related right knee and hip disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.