Scars decisions — 2023

The Board denied an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.

The Veteran's service-connected pain in left groin, status post surgery is granted a 10 percent disability rating. Separate noncompensable ratings are granted for erectile dysfunction and an inguinal scar associated with the condition prior to April 28, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including reviewing medical records and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right-hand injuries have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 50% for carpal tunnel syndrome and a separate 10% rating for skin scarring.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from dressing, undressing, bathing, grooming himself without assistance and requires care to protect him from daily hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder scar, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent due to the scar being painful and unstable but not covering an area of at least 39 square centimeters.

The Veteran's right thumb disorder with a residual scar is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD are denied, but the Veteran is granted an initial 70% rating for PTSD from December 23, 2013 to July 20, 2022.

The Board has granted a TDIU from September 27, 2011 to August 7, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right elbow disabilities, as well as their respective scars. The appeal is pending until further development is completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of January 29, 2020. The Board referred the issue of a TDIU rating prior to January 29, 2020 for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected scars and whether his treatment constitutes systemic therapy. The case is being REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial compensable rating, initial rating in excess of 20 percent, and earlier effective dates for his service-connected residual scar and left ulnar nerve neuropathy.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 25, 2015 for the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis with residual scarring and unstable scarring prior to October 4, 2018 due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted a compensable rating (10%) for the Veteran's residual scar from an appendectomy and found that his chronic abdominal pain, distension, and bowel disturbance are not service-connected.