Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's status post uvulopalatoplasty and right foot scar are not shown to result in any functional impairment, thus denying increased ratings.,The Veteran's right foot scar is not shown to result in any functional impairment, thus denying an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as her combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, but she cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee scar was not aggravated by service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,An initial rating of 40 percent for lumbar strain prior to April 26, 2022, is granted. The rating will be reduced from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorders are being remanded as the current evidence does not establish their onset during service.,The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus are also being remanded due to insufficient evidence of their onset or connection to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his past work history, education, training, and skills.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy, hysterectomy scars, bladder disorder, and bowel disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left groin scars and IBS, as well as his request to reopen service connection for a cervical spine strain with disc bulging at C5-6, were dismissed. The appeal for service connection for the left varicocele was remanded.

The Veteran's abdominal and hernia scars are rated at a 10 percent evaluation from July 1, 2010 to July 12, 2021. The claim for an increased rating is denied as of July 13, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw disability and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his left foot scar status post arthrodesis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral pes planus has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg hamstring disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his claims.,The Veteran's appeal for a left ear surgical scar was remanded due to unclear evidence regarding the existence and nature of any scars.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve and painful scar of the right hand are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU, which has been part of his appeal since its inception.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's employment history and medical records. The AOJ needs to obtain this information and provide a new evaluation for TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder scars have been rated at 40 percent since November 20, 2021.,The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 30 percent since November 20, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current scalp scars are related to a cyst removal during service, and thus grants service connection for residual scars from scalp cysts excision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability other than eyebrow laceration residual scar (previously right orbital ridge fracture), to include detached retina, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and the need for further examination or diagnostic testing.

The Board has found that additional development is required for each of the appealed claims, resulting in unavoidable delay of the Board's adjudication. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for mast cell activation syndrome, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, right elbow and shoulder disabilities, scars, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The decision also includes a request for additional evidence from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) has been referred to the Director, VA Compensation Service.