Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with alcohol use, lumbosacral spine disability, left knee disability, and left knee scar are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a back scar, a rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS, and service connection for LUE PN have been denied.,Additional development is needed to address the severity of LLE radiculopathy and the etiology of sleep apnea secondary to a deviated septum.

The Board found that the Veteran's eye disabilities and vertebral artery aneurysm with abnormal gait did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service, including as due to exposure to radiation. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's painful scars of the lower extremities, specifically on his left ankle, are granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to April 26, 2022. From that date, a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of both painful and unstable scars.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's scar residuals of left hand shrapnel wound, finding that his scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired pneumonia. The case is being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disability, claimed as left eye scar causing constant winking, is not service-connected and is not secondary to his service-connected facial scar. The bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as she is already in receipt of a combined 100% rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a full March 2015 consent form and a supplemental VA opinion to address whether the urodynamic procedure resulted in additional disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

Your initial claim for a compensable disability rating for left knee scars has been denied, and the appeal is dismissed as you have withdrawn your appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a chin scar, finding that the Veteran sustained a laceration to his chin during active duty and was treated with sutures. The scar is considered well-healed.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, status post cholecystectomy, and a scar on the right buttock due to the Veteran's dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for necrotizing pancreatitis residuals, postoperative scars associated with necrotizing pancreatitis, and bilateral glaucoma as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for removal of section of large intestine and related surgical scar are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acquired psychiatric disability prior to November 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 26, 2019.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chorioretinal scar of the left eye and sternotomy scar need further review due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for urinary incontinence as a neurological manifestation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain has been denied. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a finding that the urinary incontinence is related to his back disability. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria but fails to provide sufficient evidence regarding the economic component as detailed by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 20, 2020 do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. From January 20, 2020, the Veteran has a combined schedular rating of 100 percent and TDIU cannot be granted on the basis of one service-connected disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at 10 percent and no higher, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.,The effective dates for service connection of MDD, right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee anterior scar, and tinnitus have not been earlier than August 29, 2018.