Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for restoration of evaluations for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of whether the reduction in evaluation was proper remains pending.

The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for old well-healed scar on the left knee is granted. The appeals for service connection for left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from December 11, 2013 through June 7, 2021 have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to January 31, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's dental trauma and loss of teeth are not service-connected.,Right deltoid scars were preexisting and did not worsen during service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right lower leg/knee disability and any related leg scars. The case will be remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for abdominal scar, post vagotomy; a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of duodenal ulcer, post vagotomy with irritable bowel syndrome; a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's allergic rhinitis during changing seasons.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective July 2, 2012. Prior to that date, his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a back disability, to include as secondary to or aggravated by service-connected residuals of right inguinal hernia repair. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability that may be related to his service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right forearm burn scar disability, finding that it began during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the statutory criteria for SMC based on housebound status. However, he may still qualify for SMC on a facts-found basis if his service-connected disabilities render him permanently housebound or in need of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's fourth finger scar is granted a rating of 10 percent. Service connection for PTSD and OSA are both granted.

The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and residual scars, which were under a legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his right shoulder scar was denied.,The Veteran's request for an increased rating to more than 20 percent for his right (major) shoulder rotator cuff tear was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, right-sided hernia, right foot surgical scars, and right lower extremity nerve disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and denied increased ratings for right knee tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, right foot pes planus, right upper lip scar, and upper back sebaceous cyst.,A separate compensable rating was granted for painful scar post-upper back sebaceous cyst excision.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for updated evaluations of the Veteran's right knee, lumbosacral spine, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of right eye corneal scar and service connection for bilateral glaucoma due to issues with scheduling an appropriate VA examination.