Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a disfiguring scar, right lower back. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations at his correctional facility. The appeals are related and must be addressed together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acne scars on his face and neck, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support such a claim.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right eye corneal abrasion with corneal scar is now rated at 10 percent from February 8, 2021, forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues on appeal, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected pilonidal cyst and scars. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and VA's Director of Compensation Service found that he is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The May 2018 rating decision assigned a 20 percent disability evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and a 10 percent disability evaluation for his spinal scar, both effective September 7, 2012.,The Veteran's appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent left leg cellulitis residuals including a scar and left ear hearing loss are granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he can perform sedentary work despite his limitations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Appellant's income and whether she has dependents, as well as to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of her husband's death. The issues of service connection for cause of death and service-connected burial allowance are also remanded.

The Veteran's right foot disability and surgical scars are currently rated as 10 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a TDIU claim, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU. The VA will need to consider whether his disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and basilar scarring of the lungs, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection in a previous rating decision. The remaining issues are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if he has loss of use of his upper or lower extremities, which would be required for SMC(r)(1) entitlement. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars related to his right arm stab wound was denied as the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2019.