Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 30, 2015, do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, his TDIU is remanded for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for right wrist disability, scar (claimed as stab wound), right fifth finger disability, bilateral eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to April 23, 2021 is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for meniscus tear and noncompensable for scarring. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder scar and TDIU before August 9, 2017 due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellar regeneration, residuals of meniscal tear, patellar tendinosis and entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee surgical scars. The appeal for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim to restore the disability rating for lumbar myalgias secondary to spinal block was dismissed as it has been fully granted in a prior decision.,The Veteran's claim of an initial compensable disability rating for a left knee scar was withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and lung scarring due to a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims. The Veteran served as an aviation ordnanceman, but reported exposure to asbestos during ship refit.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for the right great toe scar and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324 were dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for higher staged initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine status post lumbar discectomy and entitlement to a TDIU were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral scar, status post prostatectomy scar, and status post angioplasty scar was properly reduced from 20% to a noncompensable rating effective November 1, 2018. The evidence did not show actual sustained improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's right knee conditions, including strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia, instability, and scar, have been granted effective from July 6, 2012. The issues of remanding for rating actions are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities were denied. The RO determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings before November 3, 2015 and from November 3, 2015 onwards.

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

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not addressed as they involve direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The unstable surgical scar associated with pilonidal cyst removal is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under DC 7804. The residuals of pilonidal cyst removal other than painful/unstable scar are not compensable. The coccygectomy residuals are already rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU are therefore denied. The initial rating for POTS is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The issues of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cornea scar, and left ankle disability are remanded for further development.