Scars decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the claim for a TDIU as withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The claim of an increased rating for right forearm scars was denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and painful scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery are currently rated at 30 percent for the former, with no rating assigned for the latter. The Board denied both claims as there is no evidence of instability or pain in excess of what is already reflected by the current ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD are rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic left Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that there was no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for kidney transplant with residual surgical scars and hyperparathyroidism due to outstanding VA, private, and SSA records. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for release of any relevant private treatment records and an updated VA examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for right cheek scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of painful, unstable, or disfiguring characteristics. Service connection claims for back disability and psychiatric disability were also denied as there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or etiology with service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease prior to January 19, 2017 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scar associated with his coronary artery bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain all requested records, including National Guard treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient in-service medical records. The Veteran needs to provide information about his injuries and treatment during service, and VA will attempt to obtain any missing records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease with cardiomegaly, and if so, whether they contributed to his death.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is rated as 50 percent disabling from May 16, 2007 to August 20, 2015.,Entitlement for a higher rating for sinusitis with headaches from August 20, 2015 and thereafter is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left wrist fracture and associated scar, as well as tinnitus, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected suprapubic scars do not warrant a higher rating, and she does not meet the criteria for a permanent total disability rating due to her migraines.,Her service connection claim was initially granted based on direct evidence of a link between her scars and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of PFB, but found that no compensable disability rating was warranted prior to May 31, 2017. Effective May 31, 2017, a 10 percent disability rating was granted for painful scars due to PFB.

The Veteran's bilateral eye or vision disorder, including cataracts and astigmatism/presbyopia, is not service-connected.,There is no current evidence of a right forearm burn scar in the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anterior abdominal scarring prior to July 28, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show at least three unstable or painful scars. A 40 percent rating is granted from January 29, 2021.,The Veteran's request for a temporary total evaluation beyond February 1, 2014 due to surgery with severe postoperative residuals was denied as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast. The Veteran returned to work on light duty in August 2013 and continued to have some functional limitations.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for painful c-section scar and denied her request for an earlier effective date. The PTSD claim is remanded for further evaluation.