Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has decided that the reduction of the Veteran's left elbow scar rating from 10% to noncompensable effective May 13, 2016 was proper. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's surgical scars, trunk associated with renal cancer. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for updated VA records, employment history information, and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was no persuasive evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 26, 2019. However, due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable, the case is being remanded for further review by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions and service connection claims. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability, including rating and effective date claims. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his scar, left leg, is granted effective from May 3, 2022. The current rating of 10% is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, effective February 10, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar disorder is service connected and assigned an effective date of February 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's assertion that proper notice was not provided prior to her examinations scheduled in connection with the instant claims. The claims are being remanded to ensure such examinations are conducted and a VA examination is conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, right groin and left groin, have been rated at 20% since March 8, 2012. The Board has granted a rating of 40%, but no higher, effective March 8, 2012, based on the evidence showing five or more painful or unstable scars with at least one being both painful and unstable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined rating of 40% did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The evidence showed he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's multiple scars of the forehead from residual surgical removal of lesions, Favre-Racouchot syndrome, and eczema (dermatitis) are all granted. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his multiple scars of the forehead.

The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia with scar and remanded the case for further development regarding a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 28, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether nerve damage is a separate manifestation of the Veteran's service-connected post-hernia repair residuals and scar, and for consideration of whether an extraschedular rating would be appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she has maintained employment throughout the appeal period.