Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for abdominal surgical scars associated with residuals of a partial left nephrectomy was denied. A separate noncompensable rating for neurological impairment associated with the scars was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cephalgia has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this disability had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residual surgical neck scar was denied. The Board noted that there is no basis upon which to grant a compensable rating for her current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) prior to May 26, 2021. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is referred to the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case (SOC) must be issued because the Veteran initiated his appeal on an incorrect form. The issues will now be remanded for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing specific evidence and failing to consider the combined impact of all service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU from January 20, 2013, to January 31, 2017. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 14, 2014, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities and concluded that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for her service-connected left foot conditions are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of legal basis, as the appeal period following the SOC expired and the decision became final.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and must be considered by the AOJ. The claims for increased ratings for a right hip scar, an increased rating for a right ankle disability, and service connection for a lower back disability are being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left eye scar from February 28, 2012. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date determinations and rating decisions. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 16, 2019. As a result, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's right leg fracture is rated at a 30 percent rating prior to February 12, 2022. From that date, the rating has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected knee disabilities, including evaluations and compensation for total arthroplasty of the left and right knees, as well as meniscal tears. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly address these claims.,The Veteran was previously granted certain ratings for his knee conditions but now seeks further evaluation or compensation based on ongoing symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of a left knee disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left knee scars. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened based on new evidence but denied as there is no clear and unmistakable aggravation by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of scars due to additional procedural development being required. The AOJ is instructed to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case addressing all evidence received since the March 2022 SSOC.