Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his earned income does not exceed the poverty threshold and he is able to maintain employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his hernia right anterior tibialis muscle with scar prior to July 17, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory nose injury (sinusitis) is also being remanded as there are insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appendectomy scars are rated at 20 percent, and the ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any current foot disabilities or acquired psychological disability were incurred in service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at a 10 percent prior to July 18, 2018 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for additional development as there were outstanding non-VA treatment records not in the file.,The Veteran's Meniere's disease with chronic suppurative otitis media was remanded to determine if tinnitus should be considered a symptom and whether it warranted a separate rating prior to August 7, 2020.,The Veteran's alopecia with scarring was remanded for an addendum opinion on whether the condition is more appropriately characterized as discoid lupus erythematous.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 7, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board has found the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review inadequate to support the decision made, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is remanded for an updated CEAT review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the veteran's service-connected conditions, including valvular heart disease with cardiomyopathy and atrioventricular block, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, implanted cardiac pacemaker and third degree heart, painful scar of the left chest status post pacemaker insertion, and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial rating for his abdominal surgical scar, status post prostatectomy, remains at 0 percent as the evidence does not warrant a higher evaluation under the most recent skin criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left anterior thigh fascial repair at thigh muscle and a compensable rating for left thigh scar, as well as the TDIU claim due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted, and the Board found that a remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence. The right knee disability and partial salpingectomy rating appeals are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right kneecap injury, right knee scars, and residuals of trauma to fingers of the left hand. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of an explosive C4 accident during his active duty in Japan.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with alcohol use disorder, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, GERD, and left foot scar. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since March 5, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, specifically an in-person VA examination to assess muscle function limitations caused by the service-connected scar.

The Board has remanded the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's stepson steals his medications, causing him to hide some of them. A new VA examination is needed to determine if he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards in his daily environment.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent from March 7, 2015 to October 10, 2017. From July 6, 2022, the rating is denied.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 10, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The denial of the increased rating claim is based on the scar not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 8, 2019, and a 10 percent rating from that date. The denial of service connection was due to lack of evidence linking the brain lesions or pituitary microadenoma to service.

The Veteran's left knee chondral fissuring has resolved, and his current symptoms are attributable to nonservice-connected conditions. His service-connected left thigh scars have been rated as noncompensably disabling since October 27, 2005.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted.,Service connection for diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy is denied.