Scars decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various rating claims due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the AOJ substantially complies with prior remand directives and affords the Veteran adequate examinations of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a left knee scar is denied, and his rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability prior to July 7, 2020 is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his representation through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a thyroid disorder is granted, and he is assigned an initial schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD. The claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, neck disability, forehead scar, left hand scar, and forehead scar are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, low back disability, right elbow scar, tinea pedis with tinea cruris, and duodenal ulcer. However, due to additional development needed, these claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold minimum percentage criteria for a schedular TDIU prior to August 14, 2012. The Board referred the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 14, 2012 to the Director of Compensation Service for action in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and scars as residuals of treatment for skin cancer due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's rosacea is granted secondary service connection and a 50% rating for status post fracture of the zygomatic arch with headaches is granted from September 28, 2010.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including recurrent subluxation and patellar instability, are rated at 30 percent each. His right eye corneal scars/opacities with conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome prior to February 13, 2020, is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depressed mood, is rated at 50 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim has been remanded due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether the Veteran's left first rib has been entirely removed or only partially resected. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected left first rib resection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, respiratory condition, residual scar from excision of benign growth, bilateral eye disability (blurred vision), right foot disorder, and dermatitis. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his scar above the left eye is dismissed. The Board grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected headaches, effective October 24, 2011.