Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a keloid scar on the chest and right shoulder disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for prostate disability to include residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repair residuals have been granted an increased rating to 10 percent effective September 14, 2011.,The Veteran’s initial evaluation for anxiety disorder prior to January 2, 2019 remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to physical limitations.

The Board has determined that the July 19, 1960 rating decision assigning an initial noncompensable rating for residuals of right fourth metacarpal fracture with post-arthroplasty scar is remanded due to a lack of complete service treatment records at the time of the determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches, have led to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered further development of the employment history and requested information from SSA.

The Veteran's right ring finger disability, including degenerative joint disease and scar, is being remanded for further evaluation. His claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the initial rating issue.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's scars associated with his left wrist injury, finding that three painful scars meet the criteria under DC 7804. The Veteran already receives a separate rating for sensory loss in his left hand.

The Veteran's bilateral knee scars were rated at 10 percent for the period prior to March 11, 2019 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The Board found that there was no evidence of deep or nonlinear scars with underlying soft tissue damage.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for a left eyebrow residual scar with an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners regarding whether the Veteran's right eye corneal transplant is related to his in-service flash burn and shrapnel injury or a separate condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation at all times during the appeal period, leading to a TDIU from August 31, 2010 to March 1, 2018. The Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment with respect to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's scar on the left wrist is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The issues of an increased rating for sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and service connection for tenosynovitis right hand are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of corneal ulcer with infiltrate, left eye has been reopened. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation and rating of his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU from June 5, 2018, to October 1, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at the lowest possible level (20%) due to lack of evidence showing more than mild impairment. The scars from her cervical fusion surgery are also rated at 20%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is requesting new examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, scars, right wrist fracture, and right foot fractures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma with scarring due to new evidence submitted after the July 2019 decision. The Veteran's Crohn’s disease, treated with immunosuppressive therapy, is believed to have contributed to the development of these cancers.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, resolving his appeal for a higher rating.,A scar on the right foot has been granted a 20 percent rating under DC 7804 due to pain and instability.