Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for pes cavus with bilateral painful callous formation and hammer toes on each foot, status-post hammer toe correction with degenerative arthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for residual scars right foot/toes and left foot/toes were both denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 3, 2022, for his residual scars right foot/toes was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a 20% rating, effective February 7, 2012. The Veteran's surgical scar of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 10% rating on and after September 19, 2019. The reduction in the rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease from 20% to 10% is restored.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, minimal and residual scar associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, minimal are being remanded due to a failure to obtain adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left great toe condition and corresponding functional impairment, including during flare ups, results in a disability analogous to severe foot disability. A 30 percent rating is granted for the left great toe condition throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 16, 1999, for the grant of service connection for residual surgical scar associated with right testicle removal is granted. The Board finds that his original August 16, 1999, claim reasonably encompassed a claim for his residual surgical scar.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar incurred during active duty. The appeal was withdrawn for other issues, including increased disability ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective March 10, 2021, the Veteran is granted a TDIU rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to December 16, 2015, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for his scar residual of left lower extremity varicose vein surgery is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for a left knee scar, residual of left knee arthroscopic surgery, from October 2, 2015 to the present, is denied. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee, Osgood-Schlatter's disease, from December 1, 2015 to the present, is granted.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities prior to December 21, 2016 is determined to be 100 percent.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the remaining claims on appeal, including a new opinion regarding the Veteran's topical treatment with corticosteroid Clobetasol and Tacrolimus.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, specifically dermatitis with scars and chronic pilonidal cyst scar, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell lung cancer in remission and right chest scars were denied as there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 14, 2018.,Effective dates earlier than August 14, 2018 are not warranted due to the lack of a pending claim at that time.

The Veteran's facial scars are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Left ear hearing loss is not compensable, with the nonservice-connected right ear considered to be Level I.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been granted, with a 50% rating for post-prosthetic replacement of the left shoulder joint effective September 3, 2015; a 10% rating for painful surgical scars of the left shoulder; and a 30% rating for adjustment disorder, chronic sleep impairment, and sexual dysfunction due to shoulder pain. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected postoperative residuals of recurrent ingrown nail in both great toes, as well as his employment status.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for a forehead scar and certificate of eligibility for special home adaptation have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 6, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, left thumb laceration residuals, and other lower extremity disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims and requests for compensable ratings for his service-connected scars and migraines.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for eye and sinus conditions due to incomplete development of evidence. The case will be returned to ensure compliance with prior instructions.