Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts, left scar field detect, strabismus, drusen right macula, and bilateral arcus senilis is denied. The Board finds that the current disability element is established but does not meet the second requirement of an in-service injury or event due to incorrect factual history regarding a right eye injury. The claim for service connection for neck condition is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for vertical surgical scars of the right and left knees have been denied.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful surgical scars of bilateral knees has also been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye cornea scar and dismissed the claim of service connection for headaches due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2018 SOC is reinstated, and his claims for service connection are decided on their merits.

The Veteran's ratings for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and lumbar spine painful scar were reduced from 10% to noncompensable effective August 1, 2023. The reduction was remanded due to inadequate consideration of whether there was an improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's scar on his right index finger is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are each rated at the maximum 10 percent level, as they do not meet criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's PTSD remains at the current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and residuals of right ankle condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his disabilities during flare-ups.

The Veteran's SLE with scarring alopecia and bilateral knee osteoarthritis was granted a 100 percent disability rating from May 11, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran had a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left shoulder scar, finding that the evidence did not show any painful or unstable scars warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 18, 2006 for the grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) is granted. The Board also found that referral for extra-schedular consideration was warranted due to unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to September 18, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for painful right breast scars and a separate initial compensable evaluation for nonlinear right breast scars have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for his bilateral ankle disorders, left knee disorder (limitation of flexion), or painful scar of the left lateral eyebrow.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, including arthritis and scars, is rated at 30 percent. A TDIU rating since July 22, 2010, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, bladder disorder, and surgical scarring of the back.,There was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion to describe the collective impact of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his ability to work from April 4, 2017 to April 2, 2018. The VA medical addendum opinions provided were inadequate and need to be supplemented.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee disability and right knee scar are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to unclear notice and need for clarification of the denial reasons. The VA must provide proper notice, clarify the reasoning of the denial, and provide legally adequate reasons and bases for the denial.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and right mid back scar have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his right mid back scar.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 23, 2013, is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds sufficient evidence to substantiate the possibility of unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to that date.