Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic upper respiratory, a left foot disorder, a left-hand disorder, painful scar, and right wrist disorder due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression and TDIU prior to October 11, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for surgical scars and painful left mastoid process to left sternoclavicular joint scar as secondary to service-connected cervical spine fusion, and his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary because the VA examination did not include color photographs of the Veteran's scars.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent disability rating for a right hand scar (dog bite) is granted. The compensable disability rating prior to December 14, 2019, and greater than 10 percent thereafter for a right fourth finger fracture is denied. The matter of service connection for residuals of a chest injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for painful scar, midline lumbar region and scar, midline lumbar region have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's scars and back disability are granted with a 10% rating, but no higher. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for fainting spells. Service connection was granted for scars, head, PTSD and anxiety, and residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as the evidence supports that his current condition likely resulted from an injury during active service.,Service connection is also granted for hypokalemia, but not hypertension or residual scar, due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to higher disability ratings for cold injury residuals of the right foot, left foot, plantar callus of the feet, or residual scar due to ventral hernia repair. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for residual burn scars to the bilateral upper extremities is denied. The TDIU issue is remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 10, 2014. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU effective June 10, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board vacated its April 2020 decision that denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted separate disability ratings for shortening of the left lower extremity, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of a compensable evaluation for left hammer toe associated with bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods from August 8, 2014 to October 3, 2016 and from October 3, 2016 are denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular or extraschedular TDIU rating. The Veteran's education and work history demonstrate that she is capable of engaging in non-physically demanding employment.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for knee disabilities. The right foot scars have been evaluated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right wrist scar and consideration of a combined rating for painful scars of the right elbow, left wrist, left elbow, and umbilical is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's facial scars are not service-connected due to lack of a documented in-service injury or event.