Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for pilonidal cyst postoperative scar. The hypertension claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 28, 2003. The TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood in stool, a right eye disability, and a left eye corneal scar. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 17, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for scar from hernia repair is denied.

The Veteran's keratectomy scar is not rated compensably, and his ulcer disease is rated at 20 percent before June 30, 2016. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for ulcer disease throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for multiple skin cancers and scars due to skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his scar, right thigh and left knee status post cellulitis has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative in September 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, scars from prostate cancer surgery, and prostate cancer residuals. The initial ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a respiratory condition (asthma, lung scarring, COPD) and an initial compensable disability rating for folliculitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with compression fracture of T8, left foot scar, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint separation, and left foot status-post tendon rupture with repair with degenerative joint disease of the calcaneus. The remand requires additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet schedular requirements for a higher rating, except for his painful midback scar which was granted a 10% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because his employment status did not meet the criteria for TDIU, as he was found to be employed and capable of substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the left inguinal nerve injury and residual scar, status post left inguinal hernia repair is denied. However, a 10 percent rating is granted for ilio-inguinal neuropathy throughout the period on appeal. The spine claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected Granulomatous hepatitis consistent with sarcoidosis and Scar, right lateral flank associated with granulomatous hepatitis consistent with sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Veteran's tinnitus has also been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for right hip scars was granted effective October 19, 2011, but the Veteran contends he should have received an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied initial compensable ratings for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and facial scars associated with PFB.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for facial scars associated with PFB is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and he has been granted TDIU. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's eyebrow scar, left cheek blood spot, and nose scar are related to his service-connected left leg atrophy and gait disturbance. However, due to incomplete records and need for a proper examination considering secondary service connection theories, the case is being remanded.