Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's scarring alopecia is rated at a 20 percent rating effective December 2, 2014. The Board found that the evidence showed more than 40 percent of her scalp was affected by scarring alopecia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability is related to service, but remanded for further clarification on whether the conditions are congenital defects or diseases and consideration of relevant evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran's left hand scar is rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's residuals of left-hand injury, status post surgical repair, extensor tendons are currently rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for entitlement to VR&E benefits as he does not have an employment handicap and is capable of finding gainful employment in his field of nursing.

The Board dismissed the appeals for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and scar status-post removal of sebaceous cyst as the Veteran withdrew these claims. The hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows his PTSD symptoms have worsened over time, making it difficult for him to work in an environment with others.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve were denied, with a remand ordered.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic scar was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and chronic recurring headaches, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 for right knee, status post open reduction internal fixation and left knee, status post open reduction internal fixation. The issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his combined rating and lack of total disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars of the head, face, and neck are all inextricably intertwined. The case is remanded to provide a VA examination that includes color photographs of the left ear.

The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder, dry eye syndrome, and lung disability were denied. The Veteran's ulcer, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis (claimed as stomach pain), GERD, residuals of a cholecystectomy, and kidney stones were all remanded.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of the conditions he claimed.

The Board has remanded the restoration of service connection for several conditions, including cervical spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, lumbar spine DDD, right thumb arthritis, and post-surgical scars. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder, finding that his pre-existing right eye chorioretinitis was not presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and COPD is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The claims for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating from January 15, 2020. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU for the period prior to January 15, 2020.