Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left knee scar as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals of left medial meniscectomy with arthritis has been denied. The Board also remanded other issues related to his knee disabilities, including evaluation of left knee limitation of extension and instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date were granted, but the effective dates are limited to October 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent testimony indicating possible worsening of symptoms and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted TDIU since October 4, 2016. The case is remanded for consideration of the claim prior to that date under extraschedular criteria.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for various foot, knee, and sinus conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his left knee scar was denied. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities were both denied as there is no evidence of chronicity or causation in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding acquired heart disabilities and surgical scars.

The Board dismissed all appeals for rating increases and earlier effective dates related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left wrist and left wrist scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a left wrist surgical scar, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's burn scars on the right wrist and hand are granted a 10% disability rating prior to February 8, 2021. A separate 10% rating is also granted for his burn scar of the right wrist effective from February 8, 2021. His burn scar of the right hand remains at a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for urethritis, but the Board finds that he does not have any current symptoms of voiding dysfunction related to his service-connected urethritis. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed and may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was previously gainfully employed prior to February 1, 2019, and is therefore not entitled to a TDIU for that period.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating assigned for his service-connected scar is granted with a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI and special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need of regular aid and attendance are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knees and right knee scars due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 8, 2010. The Board has granted the TDIU from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's left hand palm scar and right thumb arthritis are both at issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for right knee replacement, left knee scar, and right knee scar due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination conducted more than six years ago.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was reasonably construed as including claims for service connection of multiple conditions. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at November 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus (DM), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40%.

Service connection and a rating for minimal scarring of the right shoulder associated with a shell fragment wound are granted. A rating greater than 10 percent for neuralgia of the maxillary branch right trigeminal nerve is denied, and a rating greater than 30 percent for Muscle Group I injury of the right shoulder is also denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left lower extremity scar prior to August 6, 2018 is denied. A 10 percent rating between August 6, 2018 and July 12, 2020 is granted for the left lower extremity scar. The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent from August 6, 2018 is denied. The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left hand scar and left upper extremity scars are remanded.