Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his right knee conditions prior to and since February 1, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's scarring of bilateral feet warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right foot scar, finding that there was no evidence of any frequent loss of covering or instability of the scar. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates for the Veteran's reported pain and tenderness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right lower extremity ulcer condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019 for service connection of a painful scar status post stab wound, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The effective date for each condition is set at April 17, 2019.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee scar, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's left foot laceration status post artery repair with residuals is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum available under DC 5284. The Board finds no basis to assign a higher rating based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's left foot neuropathy disability warrants a separate 20 percent rating as it manifests as incomplete moderate paralysis of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's left foot scar disability is rated at noncompensable, but the Board finds that one or two scars are painful and warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scars of the head is currently pending. The Board has remanded this issue due to insufficient reasoning and bases provided.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date prior to August 22, 2015, for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the head. The Board has also remanded this issue.

The Veteran's bilateral gynecomastia, status-post soft tissue reduction with residual scars claim is remanded for additional development and an appropriate rating determination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scar, status post ganglion cyst excision of the right hand has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of VA examination and missing medical records. The Veteran's right and left elbow disabilities, as well as their associated scars, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability and painful facial scars, as well as her TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 18, 2019. The case was remanded for additional development regarding the period from April 18, 2019 to September 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hallux rigidus, service connection for left knee disorder, and service connection for right knee disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board found that the Veteran was not precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 10, 2020.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current left nasal cavity disability for VA purposes and his chest/abdominal scars are not related to, or proximately due to, active service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings related to scars and appendectomy residuals is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from his period of incarceration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.