Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and verifying his employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for superficial non-linear surgical scars and a 10 percent rating for painful scars are denied. The Veteran's ventral hernia is not rated as compensable.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left forearm condition and left ulnar neuropathy are granted, while the initial compensable rating for left elbow scar and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of lip/facial cancer, right hip condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and effective date earlier than October 11, 2018 for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee scars are painful and meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher.

A 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's face and scalp scars, effective from August 1, 2015. The claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroenteritis is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar on the dorsal aspect of his right hand was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the schedular rating criteria and referral to the Director of the VA Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration was not applicable.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for his service-connected disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe was granted with an initial 30 percent rating from October 8, 2021. The right shoulder and left forearm scars were denied as not compensable.,Prior to October 8, 2021, the Veteran's disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe warranted a 30 percent rating based on two characteristics of disfigurement. From October 8, 2021, his scar warrants a 50 percent rating as it no longer meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having at least one disability rated at 100 percent disabling and another disability or disabilities rated at a combined 60 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hypercholesterolemia.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and no link to service or an undiagnosed illness.,There is no current left index finger scar, and the Veteran's complaints are not supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran's left hip disability is less likely related to service. The examiner found it was due to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of the left iliac artery.,A temporary total evaluation for convalescence from surgery for a service-connected disability is denied as there is no service-connected disability upon which to base this claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to heart disease is remanded for additional examination and opinion.,Service connection for CFS secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right wrist disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as it is not earlier than June 18, 2018.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist condition, denied an initial compensable rating for a left wrist scar, and denied a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for left wrist radial nerve damage.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection, particularly regarding her exposure to herbicides and other environmental hazards during active duty for training. The case will be remanded to obtain VA medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him sufficiently helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, but do not require him to remain in bed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hammertoe deformities and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude his employability prior to January 1, 2012.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity affecting the sciatic nerve is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective January 4, 2020. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity affecting the sciatic nerve is also granted with a rating of 20 percent effective January 4, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and service connection have been dismissed. The claim for left ear hearing loss has been reopened, but the rating remains remanded due to new evidence.