Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scar on the top of his head is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for painful scars. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits effective January 14, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 before May 2, 2019 is denied as he has received compensable ratings since April 2013. The claims for increased ratings of residuals of shell fragment wound and scar are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn. The reduction from a 10 percent to a noncompensable (0 percent) rating for the left eyebrow scar is granted, effective March 14, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis and back injury, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 8, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are not unstable or painful, and have no other disabling effects. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.,Right hand disability: The Veteran's right hand disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical spine injury. Further examination is needed to determine the severity of these conditions and their impact on function.,Right wrist strain: Right wrist strain requires an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, but further examination is needed to assess the extent of symptoms and functional impairment.,Right knee disability: The Veteran's right knee disabilities require a rating in excess of 10 percent. However, the severity and frequency of his meniscal tear need to be assessed by a VA examiner.,Left knee patellar tendonitis and strain: An initial rating in excess of 10 percent is required for left knee disability, but further examination is needed to assess symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and his bilateral photophobia, dry eye syndrome, and arcus senilis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling additional examinations. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right knee disabilities, and residual scar from inguinal hernia repair due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411.,The Veteran's residuals of gunshot wound, right upper lobe, are currently rated at 30 percent, as there is no evidence of a severe muscle disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on his current symptoms and examination findings.,The Veteran's thoracotomy scar, right side, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The left hip degenerative arthritis is not compensable, as the evidence does not show any functional loss due to pain or other symptoms. Ratings for right hip disability are also denied, with no limitation of extension found and flexion limited at 90 degrees. A chest scar has no associated underlying soft tissue damage or disabling effects. Bilateral hearing loss is also not compensable.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a skin disability, variably diagnosed, due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and her current skin disabilities. The VA examiner is requested to address whether the delay of 16 years between the cessation of exposure and onset of symptoms affects the determination of nexus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The appeal for service connection of mixed anxiety with depressive disorder was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left wrist scar is related to his military service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's eye conditions and his boot camp experience. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,No rating has been assigned as the appeal is not about a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for scars on the left foot (toes) as secondary to his service-connected exostosis of feet, but denied service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected exostosis of feet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for postoperative scar on right intercostal area as secondary to mesothelioma has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for scars/surgical scars of the left leg wound is granted. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating for residuals of a left calf/leg wound is dismissed as moot. The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent disability rating based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including their impact on employment.