Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a compensable disability rating for scar residuals, facial burns and shrapnel wounds prior to December 7, 2018 due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for traumatic heart disease, residuals of lung injury, and superficial scars due to unclear withdrawal intentions from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee scars, degenerative arthritis, and instability due to unclear findings regarding her service-connected conditions and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and the Board has dismissed them due to his satisfaction with the most recent decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various conditions and a TDIU determination. The VA is instructed to obtain SSA records and readjudicate these matters.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's scars, effective August 27, 2015. The scars are painful and unstable.

The Board has remanded the claims for obesity, sleep apnea, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and a scar on the upper left side of chest due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected disabilities. The right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues involving the service-connected conditions and evaluations, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) from January 2, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index finger laceration scar residuals was denied.,Service connection for a low back disability, sleep disturbance (proximately due to the low back disability), and chemical burns of both elbows, buttocks, and groin were granted. Service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has a respiratory disability, including emphysema and scarred lung, related to asbestos exposure during service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis and scars, is rated at a higher level of 20 percent effective from March 16, 2011. The right knee disability received post-operative total replacement is also rated at 60 percent effective from October 5, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and right knee sprain has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease is granted with a rating of 60 percent, but no greater. The Veteran's shingles scars are denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a corneal scar of the left eye, finding that it is directly related to an injury sustained during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability, scarring of bilateral lower extremities, and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the current evidence and need for clarification on the nature and severity of the conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient VA opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide information regarding her service treatment records, civilian hospital visits in Germany, and a lightning strike during service.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted, and a TDIU has also been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as they were granted in prior rating decisions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and a compensable rating for the residual surgical scar of the left wrist, status post left dorsal ganglion cyst excision, are denied.