Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 10 percent for his left thigh scar and TDIU prior to December 9, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to the nature of the Veteran's scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and painful chest scar have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for his scar, right foot and scar, lower left ankle. The appeals are dismissed as the criteria for a compensable rating were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 1, 2011, until February 23, 2020, and a TDIU granted from February 24, 2020, onward.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA). The VA is required to adjudicate these issues under the AMA system.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back and left knee scars have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia status post-surgical repair is not rated compensably due to recurrence of the condition.,The Veteran’s left inguinal scar warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 20, 2020.

The Veteran's abdominal scar is granted a 10 percent rating effective May 25, 2011. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s single abdominal scar was unstable.

The Board denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, IVDS with residual scar, and left leg sciatica as these conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions. The effective date of any grant is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.,Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as instability of the right knee prior to December 21, 2015.

The Veteran's right foot and ankle scar was granted a compensable rating, while the service-connected back scar had its disability rating restored to 10 percent.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right foot disorder caused by VA medical treatment was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and securing substantially gainful employment that is consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to December 19, 2016. The appeal for the period from December 19, 2016, to July 1, 2018, is dismissed as moot due to SMC at a rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). TDIU on or after July 1, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A compensable (10%) rating for a right upper extremity scar associated with a service-connected right wrist disability has been granted from November 20, 2014, to October 25, 2016.

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 securing or following substantially gainful employment.

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