Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2019, finding that he was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's non-linear surgical scar and linear surgical scar have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,The Veteran's prostate cancer has also been denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected residuals of coccidioidomycosis has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected scarring due to right latissimus dorsi fibrosarcoma is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's dorsal left foot surgical scar is not manifest by any disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The Veteran's residuals of Lisfranc fracture of the left foot are currently rated at 10 percent from February 26, 2015 to June 10, 2019 and remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is also entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her residuals of Lisfranc fracture of the left foot from September 30, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU as of March 31, 2020. The evidence indicates that these disabilities have prevented him from performing gainful employment since then.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hair loss claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's OSA claim is remanded as the examiner failed to consider her prior sleep disturbances.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded because the examiner did not provide a rationale for denying secondary service connection.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient consideration of medical literature cited by the Veteran’s representative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded as the examination results were inconsistent and the examiner failed to address relevant medical literature.,The Veteran's dizziness claim is remanded because the examiner did not consider whether her dizziness was a symptom of her service-connected headache disability or a separate disorder.,The Veteran's cervical spine, left hand, bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, and foot disabilities claims are all remanded due to inadequate examination reports that failed to address relevant medical literature and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left thumb scar is being remanded due to the need for a current examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records that may be pertinent to his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrist, and right ring finger. The VA is required to provide a new examination and obtain nexus opinions.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst and scar have been rated, but no higher ratings are warranted based on the current evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for the pilonidal cyst or any compensable rating for the scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings remain before it and have been remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a failure to obtain records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's correct SSA number was not used in the initial request, and the AOJ is instructed to make another request using the correct number.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for his service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities, as well as associated neurological impairment, have been granted with effective dates of February 1, 2015. The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating assigned for his GERD with small intestine blockage and hiatal hernia has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including painful scars of the bilateral foot and hallux valgus with osteoarthritis, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions preclude her from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination considering the Veteran's claim of constant pain in his right elbow scar.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for right knee scars, right knee disability (including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), and right hip disability have been granted. The maximum schedular rating of 60 percent has been assigned for the right knee disability post total knee replacement (TKR). A separate compensable rating for shortening of the right lower extremity due to TKR is denied. An increased rating higher than 10 percent for the right hip disability is also denied.