Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee scars are currently rated at noncompensable under DC 7805. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for the Veteran's right knee scars during any point of the appeal period.,The September 2018 VA medical opinion was inadequate as it did not address the secondary service connection claim. A remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, right shoulder disability, and left ankle disability.,No effective date has been assigned as the claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% since March 9, 2009. The Board finds the Veteran may be unemployable due to his knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis and service connection for skin conditions other than carbuncle scars have been denied. The Board found that the current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 13, 2018 is granted for the award of a separate rating for anterior trunk scar. The Veteran's claim was reviewed on the initiative of VA and thus, the effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found but shall not be earlier than the date of increase.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's appendectomy scar is causally connected to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a left rib fracture (other than the left 11th rib) was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,The Veteran is already service connected for a deformity of the left 11th rib. The RO declined to reopen the service connection claim for a left rib fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 4, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an adjustment disorder, right knee and ankle disorders, eczema, bilateral arms, excessive sweating of the hands, a scar on the back of the mouth, and a hypertrophic scar of the right arm. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression and other conditions. The effective date of this decision is August 28, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand numbness, scar, right hand, and right hand condition due to a lack of credible evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cholesteatoma in both ears and service connection for dizziness are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's scars are not rated as compensable, but service connection for a back disability and chest mass is granted. Service connection for a hernia, right knee disability, and left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's back and chest disabilities is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's current hernia, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied some, resulting in a mixed disposition. The Veteran's new evidence relates to the unestablished facts necessary for reopening these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during the period from September 22, 2009, to prior to December 16, 2017. Therefore, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted for this period.

The Veteran's status postoperative left knee scar is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to December 10, 2018 and no higher thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted initial disability ratings, with the exception of intervertebral disc syndrome with sacroiliac strain and degenerative arthritis, which has been increased to 40 percent effective June 16, 2021. The remaining conditions have received initial disability ratings ranging from 10 to 40 percent.

The Board has determined that additional relevant medical evidence must be obtained and associated with the Veteran's claims file before a final decision can be made on her increased disability evaluation for scar, left index finger; service connection for right knee disorder; service connection for respiratory disorder (including allergies); and service connection for right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left and right chin scars, residual of shell fragment wound, is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.