Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 13, 2014 through September 25, 2016 rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a TMJ disability and remanded the Veteran's claims regarding cervical spine, migraines, sleep apnea, chronic cough condition, soft to liquid diet, muscle spasms of the face and neck, Freys condition, and scars of the face and neck disabilities due to her now service-connected TMJ disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve was denied, and he is still receiving a 50 percent rating. The Veteran also received a compensable rating (10%) for his scar secondary to the service-connected disability of right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) chest scar residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for liver disorder, kidney disorder, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and scar of the head. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for submission of the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service on an extraschedular basis due to exceptional aspects associated with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's painful linear scar. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding bilateral shoulder condition, right ankle reconstruction with residual scar, and lateral collateral ligament instability of the left knee due to the appellant's withdrawal request.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has granted a 10% rating for the back and right wrist scars from January 22, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is linked to his additional disabilities, including bowel injury and abdominal hernia. The Board grants service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's chronic back pain is attributed to the complications from his surgeries, specifically the robotic prostatectomy. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer was granted with an effective date of November 24, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and scars, status post prostatectomy were both granted with an effective date of December 8, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were withdrawn.,A 10 percent rating was granted for a scar, status post herniorrhaphy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions, hepatitis C, liver scarring, and headaches. The RO is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate psychologists or psychiatrists, clinicians, and a clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating for a left foot disability is granted at 30 percent, but no higher. The issues of service connection for back and left knee disabilities as secondary to the left foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since April 1, 2013.,Back/shoulder scars are not compensable.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and a skin disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2021. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for a service-connected anterior left shoulder scar has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.