Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for increased ratings for chorioretinal scarring with mild traumatic cataract and visually significant floaters [of the right eye] prior to November 21, 2019 and from November 21, 2019 were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitated the aid and attendance of another, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for a left ankle scar and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's post-traumatic scar, status-post injury of left orbital area, effective September 13, 2022. The rating is based on visible or palpable tissue loss and two characteristics of disfigurement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of employment prior to December 17, 2013. The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his scalp scars and TDIU due to instability of the scars, which have caused him significant functional impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the cases for further examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for residual neck surgical scars is granted.,Service connection for right foot disability is denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral eye disabilities (glaucoma, right eye cataract, left eye pseudophakia).

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for scarring, residuals of stab wounds of the bilateral upper extremities was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal from the Legacy appeals system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-scarring residuals resulting from an umbilical hernia repair, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee, and instability of the left knee. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and instability of the right knee are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 30, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot scars, as well as a higher rating for depression prior to June 14, 2006, are being remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and a surgical scar of the lumbar area, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 26, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right wrist, chest shell fragment wounds, and left index finger scar have been denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist disability claims, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and considering any flare-ups. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's cluster headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,For the period prior to January 11, 2022, the Veteran's residual scar of the left ear was rated as noncompensable due to its size and lack of characteristics of disfigurement or other disabling effects. As of January 11, 2022, a rating of 10 percent is granted for this condition.