Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to July 29, 2008 is denied as his disabilities have not undergone an increase in character that clearly interfered with normal employability within the one-year period before January 21, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Scarring Alopecia with Unstable Scar have been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective from September 21, 2012. The decision also includes separate ratings for the disfigurement associated with the scarring alopecia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work. The appeal is related to the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right knee scars, which are painful and have been caused by his service-connected right knee disability, warrant a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the entire period on appeal, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and scar from right inguinal herniorrhaphy have been dismissed. Additionally, the appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for numbness on the right side of the body has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's balance issues, chronic fatigue, hyperkalemia, arteriovenous fistula, bilateral foot onychomycosis, and bilateral osteomyelitis are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's bilateral foot ulcers are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and left finger disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 25, 2009, to February 9, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for postoperative right lateral meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease and slight loss of motion is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's scar postoperative right lateral meniscectomy is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected burns and resulting scars have limited his ability to operate an automobile effectively, warranting the grant of an automobile allowance.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is now closed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and procedural issues. A new secondary service connection opinion is needed based on accurate factual history, including consideration of all Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her service-connected right palm scar is granted, but the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for recurrent UTIs due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment despite some limitations from his back and shoulder conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for breast cancer and double mastectomy residual surgical scars, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's VA disability compensation should be reduced by the amount of his military separation pay, and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action on several issues, including ratings for his right knee scar, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain, impairment of left humerus, and left shoulder scar prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable because of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.