Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from January 1, 2018 to January 28, 2020. The claims for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected surgical scars of the right shoulder and service connection for a low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his mid-chest scar prior to November 26, 2019 is dismissed. The Board grants the TDIU from July 22, 2011 to November 25, 2019 based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for scars, status post prostatectomy and lymph node dissection is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for heart disease is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for lipoma is dismissed.,Tinnitus has been granted as service connected.,Hypertension has been granted as service connected due to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected left heel disability and scar are rated at 30 percent, while PTSD and OSA are granted with a 10 percent rating. The appeal is granted for all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, bowel incontinence, erectile dysfunction, scar, and surgical scar precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to his death. Therefore, the Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on an accrued benefits basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars of the lateral side of neck and face, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tender scars, lateral side of neck, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for a left knee scar and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, right and left knee conditions, hip and ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and other impairments, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is granted service connection. The issues of initial compensable disability rating for right thumb scar, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right thumb disability, and entitlement to service connection for right wrist disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence being added to the record since the September 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scar, inguinal hernia and residuals of fractured jaw are remanded. The heart disability claim is also remanded as it involves participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for coronary artery disease, supraventricular arrythmia, status-post CABG was denied. Separate noncompensable evaluations were assigned for the Veteran's sternum scars and right leg scar, both of which are now rated as 10 percent disabling.

The case is being remanded due to inadequacies in a previous VA opinion and the need to address a statement from a service medic regarding foot symptoms during service. The examiner must clarify current disabilities, determine if they are related to service, and assess whether they were caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the service-connected hernia scars, effective from April 30, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for a broken right zygomatic arch, missing tooth for VA compensation, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, GAD, panic disorder, and/or PTSD), sleep disorder, facial scars, and back disability due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle ligament laxity, shoulder conditions, and other residuals, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 18, 2020. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is also established.

The VA withheld compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $17,513.28 due to a statutory requirement and the decision is denied as it was proper.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding initial compensable and increased ratings for a service-connected temporal and vertex scar due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to conflicting medical findings and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.