Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as the evidence supports that his current condition likely resulted from an injury during active service.,Service connection is also granted for hypokalemia, but not hypertension or residual scar, due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to higher disability ratings for cold injury residuals of the right foot, left foot, plantar callus of the feet, or residual scar due to ventral hernia repair. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for residual burn scars to the bilateral upper extremities is denied. The TDIU issue is remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 10, 2014. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU effective June 10, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board vacated its April 2020 decision that denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted separate disability ratings for shortening of the left lower extremity, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of a compensable evaluation for left hammer toe associated with bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods from August 8, 2014 to October 3, 2016 and from October 3, 2016 are denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular or extraschedular TDIU rating. The Veteran's education and work history demonstrate that she is capable of engaging in non-physically demanding employment.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for knee disabilities. The right foot scars have been evaluated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right wrist scar and consideration of a combined rating for painful scars of the right elbow, left wrist, left elbow, and umbilical is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's facial scars are not service-connected due to lack of a documented in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his DDD involving the lumbosacral spine and related radiculopathy conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his shoulder scar and service connection for his back disability due to the need for updated examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder is granted. The initial rating for low back disability prior to June 7, 2019 is granted at 20 percent. A higher than 40 percent rating for the low back disability since June 7, 2019 is denied. Initial ratings of 10 percent are granted for right sciatica and scar formation in the right cranium prior to June 6, 2019. The issue of service connection for joint pain is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current back scars and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

Service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD, depressive disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, anxiety disorder, and left leg scar is granted. Service connection for head scar is denied.,The Veteran's hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's operative scar at the lower lumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a 10% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to its size and lack of pain or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented them from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be obtained before the claims for service connection and rating can be decided. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.