Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities are granted a 100 percent evaluation from October 9, 2017, to the present. The Veteran's surgical scar of the sternum is granted a 100 percent evaluation for its associated service-connected heart disabilities.

Service connection is granted for right eye chorioretinal scars, macular scars, and conjunctival hemorrhage (due to OHS) and left eye chorioretinal scars and macular scars (due to OHS).,The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, jaw disability, skin disability, lumbar spine disability, and left wrist disability are remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 31, 2012. However, the issues of service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disorder, as well as evaluations for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for a painful scar of abdomen, status post caesarean, prior to December 26, 2019, was dismissed because the appeal was already pending in the Legacy appeal system and the appellant filed the VA Form 10182 seeking AMA review at an improper time.

The Board granted a 10% disability rating for the Veteran's right knee surgical scar effective June 12, 2019. The Veteran attempted to appeal this decision by filing a Decision Review Request (DVR) but did not proceed with an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). As a result, his attempt to appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as his current protected work environment with VA does not allow for substantial income generation.

The Veteran's increased ratings for nephrectomy scar and neoplasm of the kidney were denied. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for neoplasm of the kidney prior to February 21, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and knee conditions, have caused her to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the range of motion and functional impairment of his left hand, as well as a new opinion regarding his peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's disability ratings are denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to secure opinions addressing the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The AOJ must also obtain private treatment records and secure TDIU-related opinions from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted a 40 percent rating, but his right shoulder scar remains at zero percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The left breast scar remains rated at 10 percent, while polyarthralgia continues to be rated at 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if she has current disabilities related to her in-service miscarriage and pregnancy difficulties, including neurobehavioral effects.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of coronary artery disease, surgical scar on left forearm, and other surgical scars associated with herbicide exposure. The effective dates are April 10, 2018 for coronary artery disease and October 5, 2018 for the surgical scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lung and eye conditions are being reopened due to new evidence. The cases of facial scars and hearing loss with tinnitus remain on appeal.,Further medical examinations are needed for the lungs, eyes, and hearing loss/tinnitus issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease was denied as his appeal did not meet the requirements to establish an earlier effective date.,Claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for right calf scars and right elbow bursitis were also denied due to lack of evidence showing they arose prior to the dates granted.