Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a ganglion scar, sarcoidosis, and headaches, precluded him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to October 11, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted.

The appeal for service connection for organ damage (Stephens-Johnson Syndrome) is dismissed. Service connection for residuals of brain lesion with craniotomy, migraine headaches, and strokes are granted on a secondary basis due to the residual effects of the brain surgery. Service connection for a surgical scar on the right side of scalp is also granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a liver disorder is dismissed as the RO has already granted it. The Veteran's bilateral lower leg four-compartment fasciotomies with scars are now rated at 10% from April 1, 2015.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to August 9, 2016. For the period between August 9, 2016 and October 1, 2017, the weight of evidence did not support a finding that any other service-connected disability prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lymphedema of the right and left lower extremities, as well as for right hip, left hip, and right ankle disabilities. The claims for neurological disorders of the lower extremities and general disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left foot scar are granted service connection.,Service connection for a left hip osteopenia is denied as it is not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's hepatitis B, left knee total joint replacement, right knee total joint replacement, and left knee surgical scar claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date of the award for post-concussive migraine headaches and TBI is set at April 11, 2017.,Service connection for TBI and left eyebrow scar was also granted with an effective date of April 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records, inadequate examination reports, and failure to address certain aspects of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and residuals, laceration scar of the right chest have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received and must be considered in the context of the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a full review of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals, including residual scars, as these conditions are found to have originated during active service.

The Board has found inconsistencies in the evidence regarding herbicide exposure and needs to clarify whether the Veteran was exposed to qualifying chemicals from herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for left eye orbital floor fracture is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left upper and lower eyelid scars is denied.,The Veteran lacks the legal grounds to establish entitlement to a 10 percent rating for multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined and for updated VA medical records to be obtained in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder and scar disabilities.

Service connection is granted for chorioretinal scar of the right eye.,Service connection is granted for disc bulge at L5-S1, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and muscle spasms of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints and treatment for low back pain during active duty service, and an MRI in 2015 noted a bulging disc near L5.,The Veteran's current left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and/or lumbar radiculopathy are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service or any other condition.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of atrial septal defect status post closure and cardiomyopathy, but it is unclear if these conditions are superimposed over his congenital or developmental defects. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service.

The Board has granted an extraschedular total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 22, 2014 to March 18, 2022 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right eye corneal scar, effective from when his claim was filed.