Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residual mouth scar, finding that it is painful and meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and scar above right eye. The issues have been returned to the RO for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left eye corneal scar was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any incapacitating episodes or visual field impairment, and thus could not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The right eye disability claim is remanded due to incomplete etiology opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus scar have been dismissed as moot because the issues were resolved by a grant of service connection in January 2022. The appeal for temporary total disability due to convalescence following surgery on right foot hallux valgus has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 31, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show he was completely unemployable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of use of insulin and regulation of activities.,The Veteran's left carotid endarterectomy scar was rated as 0 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,A total disability based upon individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his service-connected abdominal scars and painful scar, as well as obtaining updated VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for abdominal scars and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Board will gather additional information and evidence to determine if there are any service-connected conditions related to the Veteran's knee disabilities or vision disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a compensable disability rating for the service-connected left ankle scar due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, painful scars of the left foot and left shoulder, scar from removal of sebaceous cyst below right eye, bilateral hearing loss, and malaria are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative arthritis of the left foot first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ), and a left foot surgical scar from ostectomy of the left great toe is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for bilateral hallux valgus disabilities and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral total knee replacements and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and diabetic foot disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and restored his disability ratings for left knee instability and right knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion due to multiple orthopedic and neurological conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is still working and has provided no evidence of unemployment.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate rating for peroneal nerve disorder associated with post-operative residuals of excision of keratoma and verruca of the left foot is granted. The appeal for a higher rating for residuals of excision of keratoma and verruca of left foot remains denied, as does the appeal for a compensable disability rating for residual scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because of service-connected disabilities prior to March 12, 2008. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.