Scars decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to December 15, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for asthma and scars due to improper filing of a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The claims include right shoulder Bankart repair, lumbar spine spondylosis, sciatic nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residual scar of dorsal column stimulator.

Your initial rating for the scar from your heart valve replacement surgery has been granted at a 10 percent level. The Board found that you have one painful chest scar, which is rated under Diagnostic Code 7804.,The Veteran's right knee disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left wrist disability, and back disability are all remanded for additional VA medical opinions to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on acne scars of various body parts and painful scars have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain updated examinations and assessments of her current disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, malaria, residuals of a left thigh wound, and left thigh scar are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and associated surgical scars was granted effective July 20, 2006. The effective date is based on the date of the bypass surgery.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for sinusitis, pansinusitis. The Veteran's scar on the right side of the neck and swollen lymph nodes are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and his left and right Achilles tendonitis conditions are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis and left ankle arthritis did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 10, 2021.,From December 10, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and left ankle surgical scars) met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 40% and the functional impact of his conditions does not warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 18, 2011 to March 19, 2012 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a chin scar, finding that the condition began during active service and is not related to any other conditions or exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left index finger scar, tension headaches, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his daily life.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address his current symptoms and diagnoses.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU from May 31, 2018. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.