Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to January 22, 2021, and at 70% thereafter. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD beginning October 31, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected painful and unstable mid abdominal scars associated with status post jejunal resection with history of pancreatic duct injury and bruised liver are granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's abdominal scars with multiple trunk scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right upper extremity nerve damage associated with the painful linear scar is granted an increased initial disability rating of 30 percent.,A TDIU is granted effective December 14, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent on and after October 23, 2019, for scar, surgical, left shoulder is dismissed. A 10 percent rating, and no higher, is granted for the same condition prior to October 23, 2019. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder rotator cuff tear with left triceps muscle injury is remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examination. Service connection for headaches is also remanded as there are insufficient records to determine if they had their onset in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appendectomy scar is not related to his active service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's migraine headaches to his military service.,Atrial fibrillation was not diagnosed during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings, while erectile dysfunction and hypertension remain denied.,A separate initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted for right ankle instability.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee scars, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension prior to November 23, 2018 due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's right small finger disability is rated as noncompensable, and the right foot lateral scars are each rated as noncompensable.,There is no evidence of a separate compensable rating for the right foot lateral scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 13, 2014, for the 60 percent rating assigned for coronary artery disease is granted. The effective date was based on a new claim filed by the Veteran shortly after his diagnosis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including effective date determinations and service connection for various disabilities. The appeal remains in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right nephrectomy service connection is denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars of the right great toe, right leg, left thumb, and left and right knees are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as there is sufficient evidence to substantiate that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded three issues: right leg varicose veins, post-surgery; right leg scars; and a right ankle disability secondary to the varicose veins. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of venereal disease and hysterectomy, finding that the Veteran's PID during military service caused her current conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability, including initial increased ratings and service connection for various symptoms. The appeal is on-going with additional development needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted after the April 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case and must be considered before a final decision can be made. The claims are therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that an increase in the severity of his service-connected disabilities occurred within a year prior to December 17, 2015. The effective date for the grant of TDIU remains December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's nasal fracture, right hip contusion and degenerative arthritis, surgical scars as residuals of liver transplant, anxiety disorder, and hypertension are all denied.,A rating in excess of the current evaluations for these conditions is not warranted.