Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals perilunate dislocation, right wrist and for a compensable rating for right wrist scar associated with residuals perilunate dislocation, right wrist due to insufficient evidence. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, right ankle, and scar on the right hand disorders due to incomplete records. Further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 28, 2018 was denied as he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI, shoulder impingement syndrome, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed.,New evidence received since the October 2013 rating decision has reopened claims for service connection, but not all of these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's combined rating for her service-connected disabilities is 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, she does not meet the noneconomic component of a TDIU as she can still perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent prior to November 13, 2017. However, the Board finds that his single disability rated at 100 percent does not render him unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period prior to March 28, 2017 is being remanded as there are insufficient records of functional impairment during that time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability evaluation for left shoulder scars associated with chronic left shoulder strain have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for chronic left shoulder strain, recurrent subluxation of scapulohumeral joint, and extension of temporary total disability evaluation.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 9, 2017, through March 13, 2017. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his residual scars due to shell fragment wounds on the left scapular area and right shoulder and thorax, as they were not adequately addressed in the previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease caused or aggravated his asthma, as well as if any symptoms of asthma can be separated from his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and scarring alopecia have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, as well as further consideration of his increased rating claims. The issues include PTSD, anal sphincter injury, left peroneal nerve injury with foot drop, fractures of the right tibia and fibula and pubic bone, chest trauma, TBI, ADHD, and a TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for corneal scarring with photophobia was denied as the evidence did not show more than minimal visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine were both denied due to lack of in-service injury, event, or disease; no continuity of symptoms since service; and no medical nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The left ankle, fibroadenoma, and anterior trunk scar issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for exostosis of the skull and granted a compensable rating (10%) for her head scar. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for residuals of a left hand injury, service connection for residuals of a right hand crush injury, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, circulatory disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, and left lower extremity scar are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional VA and private treatment records are needed.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a wasp sting residual face scar. Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder and insomnia. Hypothyroidism service connection is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the January 2021 decision, including a failure to consider whether the evidence of ear drainage and diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media support a finding that there is suppuration under Diagnostic Code 6200. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his right tympanic membrane condition will be remanded for further development.