Scars decisions — 2021

A 20 percent rating for service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from June 6, 2013 to December 12, 2014.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his shrapnel wound scar of the right wrist was denied. The Board found that there were no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04 and thus, a compensable rating could not be assigned. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since May 31, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU from that date onward but has remanded the issue of whether he was unemployable prior to May 31, 2017 for further review.

The Veteran's PFB with residual scarring is granted a rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all appeals related to his claims for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has dismissed these appeals as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle calcaneal spur with degenerative arthritis was granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent disability rating effective December 23, 2020.,A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the painful right ankle scar was also granted effective December 23, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and eye conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 25, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle scar, caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 3, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot scarring is granted with a 20% disability rating for each foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of all respiratory diagnoses and symptoms, including borderline restrictive lung disease. The Veteran's VA treatment records must be updated, and an addendum opinion is needed from a pulmonologist regarding whether his respiratory disabilities are related to herbicide exposure or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requisite schedular percentages for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 24, 2017. The Board found that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a disfiguring scar, right lower back. The issues are being returned to obtain updated VA treatment records and VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chorioretinal scarring with tiny limbal cornea scarring has not caused any impairment of visual function or incapacitating episodes, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection for various conditions as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scars of the feet, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for painful scars, status post right orchiectomy, is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's residual scars, status post right orchiectomy, are also denied as they do not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for dermatitis and scarring is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU for further action by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.