Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hip stress fractures.

The Board denied restoration of the 20% rating for right forearm traumatic scars from July 1, 2018, as the condition did not demonstrate actual improvement and was not unstable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residual scar, status post left lower leg injury and reactive airway disease were denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for painful and disfiguring right shoulder scars due to new evidence added to his file. The claims will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in an August 2022 written statement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected back and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issues of increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, service connection for keloid scarring on face, and service connection for hands shaking, bilateral are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's abdominal disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development to determine if they were caused by VA treatment.

The Board has determined that procedural errors occurred in the handling of the Veteran's appeal and has ordered remand for further action.

The Veteran's scar, status post facial laceration is rated at 30 percent disabling since March 18, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition and remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's use of chlorhexidine gluconate, an antiseptic skin cleanser, caused irreparable damage to his outer garments during the Year 2018. The Board granted a clothing allowance for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left femur, left knee, left ankle, left leg shortening, and back disabilities. The VA examiner should provide a full description of the Veteran's disabilities and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran's disabilities, including under the rating criteria.

The Veteran's epidermal cysts on back with scars have been granted a 30 percent disability rating. The issue of service connection for impairment of sphincter control, secondary to hemorrhoids is remanded due to lack of an addendum medical opinion and the need for VA examination records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities allowed him to qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning August 12, 2010. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's left arm scar was denied a compensable rating prior to September 18, 2019 and from September 18, 2019. A separate noncompensable disability rating for the same condition was granted effective May 28, 2021.,The Veteran's CAD with acute subacute or old myocardial infarction was granted a 30 percent disability rating from September 20, 2019 and denied any higher ratings. The Veteran also received TDIU prior to January 29, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on right and left foot hallux valgus, as well as the scars associated with these conditions, is being remanded due to procedural errors in the rating decisions. The issues are not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evidentiary development due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 25, 2015 are also remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, but the issues of entitlement to initial ratings for restless leg syndrome, status post lipoma excision right lateral neck with residual scar, and herpes zoster (shingles) are remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus no further action will be taken on these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, PTSD, and IBS, are at least as likely to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment prior to May 29, 2014. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied.