Scars Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for Osgood-Schlatter's disease and left knee scar as they require new examinations due to outdated medical records and changes in rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated disc disease, L4-L5, with adjacent level disease at L3-L4 status post laminectomy and fusion L3-L5, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, moderate, with generalized anxiety disorder is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disability, specifically eczema. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left upper thigh puncture wound scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to March 29, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent from March 29, 2018, forward.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected hand disabilities have been denied. The highest schedular rating available has already been assigned.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar from gallbladder surgery was denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, as well as allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), were remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. Service connection is granted for a left eye area scar, but the low back and left lower extremity nerve disabilities remain in dispute.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for left wrist and right wrist disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted.,A rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 25, 2017, for bronchial asthma, and in excess of 50 percent from April 25, 2017, for sleep apnea with bronchial asthma has been remanded.

The Veteran's scar disability was granted a 10 percent rating, effective October 19, 2022.,A higher rating for skin disability and ulcer disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to his residual scars due to MRSA, including ratings for scars on the back, face, neck and scalp, as well as a rating for scars on the right lower extremity. The Board has remanded these matters for further development.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations to address inconsistencies in the Veteran's right wrist and knee disability ratings, as well as a remand for consideration of TDIU prior to January 19, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 27, 2019 and from April 1, 2020 to May 27, 2020. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post bypass grafting with scar was granted a rating of 60 percent prior to March 15, 2012 and a 100 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence supported these ratings based on the criteria for evaluating coronary artery disease.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 1, 2013, due to his service-connected status post prostatectomy.,SMC at the housebound rate was also granted for the period from July 2, 2017, to January 31, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of the appropriate rating(s) to be assigned for the left total knee replacement performed in April 2019 pursuant to the rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left eye scar, secondary to toxoplasmosis, due to incomplete development and lack of an updated examination. The issue is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis and painful scars in the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.