Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied prior to March 14, 2019 due to insufficient evidence showing he could not secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation solely by reason of his service-connected disabilities. From March 14, 2019, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his combined disability rating met the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and clarifying certain opinions from previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee conditions due to new evidence not previously considered in a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ must re-issue an SSOC that specifically identifies and discusses all relevant evidence, including VA examinations and SSA determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of left wrist carpal tunnel release and painful left wrist scar were denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to insufficient range of motion testing and consideration of medication effects. The Veteran's service-connected scars need to be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis status post joint replacement, left hip and right shoulder disability are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for the right thumb laceration scar is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her service-connected migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, PTSD with TBI, and scar of the right lateral forehead have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his Achilles tendonitis and surgical scars has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation by his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right elbow, medial epicondylitis, with dislocation, and lateral collateral ligament reconstruction with allograft and scar. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms of his elbow condition during active duty and continues to have them post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Raynaud's syndrome was denied, and the initial disability rating of 30 percent for bilateral dry eye syndrome with left eye chorioretinal scar(s) status post retinal detachment (also claimed as ocular rosacea) is granted. The separate compensable disability rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no pending claim or increase in symptomatology within the one-year period prior to his May 3, 2018, claims.

The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for COPD, residuals of tuberculosis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The left shoulder disorder rating remains pending.

The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches since separation from service, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and issues are intertwined with other rating claims.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an initial compensable rating for a scar of the cervical spine, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, his peripheral neuropathy disabilities affect a single body system and raise the possibility of unemployability due to service-connected conditions. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for his right-eye impairment to include blindness, exotropia, optic nerve pallor, cataract, presbyopia, retinal and macular scarring from October 22, 2008 is dismissed as moot because he is already in receipt of the 30 percent rating he sought.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to their inability to result in loss of use of his lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for left eye corneal abrasion/laceration/scar with photophobia due to conflicting findings and unclear etiology.