Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from December 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022, is being remanded due to new evidence submitted in August 2020. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Services for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with primary sleep disturbances (claimed as PTSD), service connection for hernia residuals, scar secondary to hernia surgery, and skin cancer affecting nose, cheek, and chest. The Board finds the Veteran's disability most closely approximates a 30 percent rating.

The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic inflammatory nodule on dorsum of left hand, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and scar to left hand with specific disability ratings. The past-due benefits awarded in the June 2019 rating decision are not paid due to a statutory impediment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and residual shrapnel scars were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer with urinary incontinence, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his ventral hernia disability and associated left anterior abdominal scar, as well as his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and clarifying which symptoms are attributable to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied.

The Veteran's service connection for a left wrist scar from carpal tunnel surgery is denied. The Board has also remanded the claim for erectile dysfunction due to potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis and did not render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's abdominal surgical scar has been granted a compensable (10%) rating, while his ventral hernia post-connection cancer remains noncompensable.,Service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back and knee disabilities was denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and compression fractures of T8-T10, status post lumbar fusion is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. Ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities are granted at 40 percent. Ratings for left knee strain with limitation of flexion and right knee status-post operative torn meniscus (limitation of extension) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's painful scars of the right knee and posterior trunk are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted under the PACT Act, and his degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine rating is restored.,PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires restricted diet or insulin therapy from September 19, 2015, to July 7, 2017, and one daily injection of insulin thereafter.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity is granted an increased rating, but tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular evaluation.,PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires restricted diet or insulin therapy from September 19, 2015, to July 7, 2017, and one daily injection of insulin thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and bilateral leg scarring due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again with a new opinion that addresses all theories of service connection, including whether the honorable period of service could have caused or aggravated the disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cancer, pulmonary embolism, and associated scars are granted effective February 19, 2017. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and other conditions such as narcolepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, tension headaches, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, lower back strain, cervical neck strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, right 4th metacarpal fracture with scar, allergic rhinitis, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, right eye strabismus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 30 percent for acne and scarring of the face and neck has been granted. The condition is characterized by deep acne affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep acne other than on the face and neck.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders have been dismissed due to the failure to include them in his initial appeal. The Board has remanded several of these issues, including left ankle, left hand, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left foot disorders.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, left knee and right knee disabilities, gout, stroke, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, actinic keratosis, bilateral knee scars, ear and forearm scars, sleep apnea, and TDIU. The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be considered before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral foot scars was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and PTSD.