Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent rating for multiple service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left knee scars is denied, and his claim for an initial compensable rating for left varicocele, including extraschedular consideration, is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to effective dates and initial disability ratings for various disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee derangement, surgical scar from right nephrectomy, and TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to readjudicate these issues with consideration of all evidence added since the April 2020 statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has denied all individual issues of service connection. The appeals are not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected abdominal scars and anterior trunk scars, including their impact on function and any resultant disabilities such as urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, rash, and testicular deformity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left inguinal hernia scar, spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease, and left inguinal hernia. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, liver fibrosis and scarring, and depression and sleep problems as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board also noted that private treatment records established that the Veteran developed depression following a non-service-connected neck injury.

The Veteran's painful scars, left inguinal hernia, left breast surgical scars, and left shoulder surgical scars were granted a 30 percent rating effective May 10, 2017. Prior to this date, the scars had been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee conditions, back issues, radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, and PSVT, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's fall and resulting injuries.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is rated at a 10 percent rating, granted an initial compensable rating. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the current evidence showing no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,VA examinations for insomnia disorder, GERD, constipation, hemorrhoids, and scars of the back and hemorrhoids scars were conducted in May 2018. The Veteran's representative has indicated that her conditions have worsened since these exams.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for painful scar, post right shoulder surgery is granted with an effective date of July 6, 2017. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and status post right tibia fracture are remanded due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The service connection for pes planus remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective January 10, 2021, he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU from July 17, 2013, to July 31, 2018, and a schedular TDIU on and after August 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not granted, while the Veteran's left foot post-surgical scars (4) and painful surgical scars were found to have been rated appropriately.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, as well as left knee postoperative degenerative joint disease with surgical scar, need to be remanded due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examination opinions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 24, 2009 to February 11, 2013, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disorder, specifically whether it is related to his in-service chalazion and exposure to sandstorms. Further development is required.