Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 28, 2008 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements and there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings are remanded due to insufficient evidence of the current severity of his right foot and ankle disabilities, including any residuals. The Veteran also has a TDIU claim that needs further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 22, 2016 for service connection for costochondritis is granted.,The claims seeking initial compensable disability ratings for incomplete right bundle branch block and scars are dismissed.,The claim seeking a TDIU is also dismissed.,The petition to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability, to include eczema, is granted. The claim is addressed further in the 'Reasons for Remand' section below.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on evidence that the Veteran experienced an in-service personal assault and has current symptoms related to this event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience during the period from January 1, 2010 through June 18, 2010.

The Veteran's right anterior tibia scar was initially rated as noncompensable and later increased to 10 percent. The PTSD claim resulted in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, with the exception of August 14, 2015 when it was granted at 50 percent. The Veteran's diverticulitis with GERD claim was denied.,The Board found no evidence to support increased ratings for any conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar or nodule on his left thigh, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury and insufficient supporting medical evidence to establish a link between any current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee brace causes wear and tear to his clothing, which is a service-connected disability. The Board granted the clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Veteran's service-connected right arm scars are remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability and for attempts to obtain relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's body scarring, including scars on the upper extremities and trunk, is rated at a 10 percent disability level since August 20, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for insomnia disorder and C-section scar has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms do not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder manifested by pain was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the bilateral knee disabilities, service connection claims, and TDIU.

The appeal seeking a higher rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine is dismissed.,A rating higher than 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee is denied.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A rating higher than 10 percent for shrapnel wound scar of the upper left chest is denied.,A compensable rating for residual scars from right hip replacement and shrapnel wound scar is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for acne with facial scarring was denied, and his claim for a higher rating from February 20, 2020, was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted for the period prior to November 17, 2020, but denied for the entire rating period on appeal. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and scarring of the genitals are not service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in previous opinions and the need for a new VA examination to determine the cause of visual field defects.

The Board denied service connection for burn scars, finding that there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding of causation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and scars on his head and nose due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to active service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The VA examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and LLE radiculopathy) do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.