Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left elbow disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for entitlement to effective dates prior to May 31, 2009, for service connection of bilateral foot residual scars.

The Veteran's scars status/post bilateral orchiopexy are rated at a 10 percent disability rating since June 10, 2014.

The Veteran's insomnia is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Both hip disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The evidence does not support an increase in these ratings as there is no indication of ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Veteran's painful hysterectomy scars are rated at 30 percent effective September 21, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for ratings related to his gunshot wound residuals are being remanded due to unclear issues and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 2, 2018 is granted. The VA has not completed the necessary development for his increased rating claims and remanded issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The RO is instructed to obtain any additional medical records, verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service, and consider whether to seek addendum VA opinions or new examinations.

The Veteran's right and left recurrent ingrown toenail disabilities have been granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The disabilities are characterized as moderately severe under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the residuals of a January 2011 colonoscopy and subsequent medical interventions, finding that the complications were not caused by VA's fault or an unforeseeable event.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable rating for right knee scars and increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of July 24, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's multiple painful scars, including those on the right upper back and lumbar spine, are rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period. The rating for his lumbar spine disability is granted from October 3, 2014, with a 40 percent rating. A compensable rating is granted for his femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar scar, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and private treatment records. The AOJ must schedule a VA aid and attendance examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in the regular need of aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's vision problems, specifically whether they are related to herbicide agent exposure and if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and bibasilar pulmonary scarring, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.