Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his GERD, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, status-post medial meniscectomy, right knee, and scars, right knee.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the claims for service connection for various conditions to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 10 percent, effective March 29, 2019. The RO has assigned separate ratings for his burn scars and neurological symptoms associated with the burns.,The Veteran's burn scars are currently rated as 30 percent disabling overall, but individual ratings for each scar need to be determined.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee, shoulder, and hip disabilities due to the need for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2015. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as a truck driver. As such, the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis and right-hand scars have not been rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing more than topical therapy or systemic treatment.,The Veteran’s dermatophytosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either pre-amendment or amended Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for his scar, residual of s/p right hip arthroplasty and an increased rating for his right hip avascular necrosis have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence showing no symptoms warranting higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for skin cancer of the head and nose, scarring of the head and nose, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scars of the right knee was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for right knee disability status post medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for scars of the right buttocks, right heel, and left shoulder are denied. The appeal is also remanded for further determinations on service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and inadequate medical opinions. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining missing records from a specific clinic.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for scar is granted, but her claim for a higher rating is dismissed.,Her right knee disability and lupus service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.,Her hypertension service connection claim is also remanded.,Her bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right big toe disability and a right shoulder scar require further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for acid reflux with GERD, hemorrhoids, a left hand condition, and a left hand scar. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,His low back scar was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, scars as secondary to prostate cancer, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The effective date was set at August 10, 2018.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability evaluation for scars, left breast, postoperative was improper and has granted restoration of a 10 percent rating. The issues of increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome with tendinitis, right wrist (dominant) and left wrist (nondominant), as well as entitlement to TDIU are remanded.