Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected plantar scar of the left foot does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has other non-service-connected disabilities that impact his ability to work. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain her Reserve service records and provide TERA opinions regarding certain conditions.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer in dispute.,Right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with right foot bunion and left foot bunionectomy are not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent.,Right foot hallux valgus is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Left foot hallux valgus is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Right foot hallux valgus is not entitled to a compensable rating.,Left foot hallux valgus is not entitled to a compensable rating.,Left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with limitation of extension and impairment of abduction are not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Right knee chondromalacia patella and left knee chondromalacia patella are not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,Post-operative scars of the knees are not entitled to a compensable rating.,Right wrist strain is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Left wrist strain is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Duodenal ulcer with duodenitis is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,Atopic dermatitis is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been denied. The right hip strain is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and the left knee surgical scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 23, 2016, for the grant of service connection for left knee disability, left knee scars, and right ankle disability have been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence of an informal claim prior to March 24, 2015, indicating the Veteran's intent to file a claim for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a right forearm scar and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for status post right radial fracture are remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and potential errors in duty-to-assist. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and skin disability (beyond PFB and associated scarring) are not currently shown.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right and left anterior neck scars is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The RO must obtain another VA examination in light of the private examination that shows some evidence of a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for various knee and wrist disorders. The AOJ is instructed to consider any Social Security Administration disability benefits records in their review of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and an initial rating for a scar, status post-hernia repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his conditions and potential exposure to toxic substances. The Veteran is required to provide an opinion on whether his conditions are related to in-service events or exposures, including participation in toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability and scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were not rated higher than a compensable rating.,Tinnitus was evaluated at the maximum schedular rating available for that disorder.,Bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent effective October 18, 2019.,Cervical spine disability was rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Tension headaches were rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to February 7, 2020.,RUE radiculopathy and LUE radiculopathy were both rated at 20 percent.,Residual lumbar spine scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since May 9, 2008.,The Veteran has been entitled to individual unemployability and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance since May 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral retinal detachment with decreased vision, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and surgical scar, right arm are all denied. The Board found that the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection decisions based on the lack of a claim prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 50 percent since November 2, 2020.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted effective November 2, 2020.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy disabilities, which have rendered him wheelchair dependent and unable to perform daily tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's Disease was denied. The claims for residuals of deviated nasal septum, skin disability other than dermatitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, and eye disability (secondary to hypertension) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.