Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation for the right shoulder scar and has remanded cases involving asthma and sinusitis or rhinitis due to lack of medical opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for the period prior to May 8, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 12, 2013, for a higher rating of 10 percent for his service-connected right ankle shrapnel wound with scar. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran became eligible for an increased rating within one year prior to the receipt of his claim on June 12, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

Effective October 1, 2014, the Veteran was granted service connection for right and left knee injuries (patellar/quadriceps tendon ruptures), bilateral knee scars, and an anxiety disorder. Effective October 1, 2014, he also received separate 10% ratings for right and left knee instability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded as there are no prior unadjudicated claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected post-operative right foot linear scars is remanded due to the need for a VA scar examination and the provision of additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a facial skin condition and a skin disorder of the back, shoulders, chest, and stomach have been denied. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s dysthymic disorder warrants a 70% rating, but not higher, prior to August 28, 2007. For periods after August 28, 2007, his dysthymic disorder is rated as 70%. His chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and tender scalp scar are both rated at the current levels of 20% and 10%, respectively. The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle pain, joint pain, sleep apnea, and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right-hand disability (claimed as scars on right hand) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an updated examination of the Veteran's scar status post cyst removal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for scars of the left wrist was dismissed. The claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions were granted, with the cervical spine condition receiving an initial 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for each condition. The effective dates are not specified in the decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a deviated septum and lip scar. The application to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and service connection is established.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for residuals of renal cell carcinoma and an initial higher than 20 percent rating for right flank abdominal hernia have been dismissed.,An initial 40 percent disability rating for right flank intercostal nerves neuropathic pain from May 12, 2010, and an initial 10 percent disability rating for right flank surgical scars from May 12, 2010, are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for a posterior trunk scar was dismissed. A 40 percent disability rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is granted, effective September 30, 2018, and TDIU is granted beginning April 16, 2003.

The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome, corneal guttata with corneal scar and floaters, and bilateral dry eye syndrome have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The effective dates for these grants are October 1, 2011.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The ratings for left hand weakness and residuals of left index finger amputation were also denied, but the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for his left index finger scar effective February 29, 2012. He is now receiving TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.