Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthrotomy with scar and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The examinations need to comply with the requirements set forth in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017), and Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his inguinal and facial scars.,Specifically, the Board has determined that additional medical inquiry is needed regarding the Veteran's painful inguinal hernia scar, deep inguinal hernia scar, and left cheek disfigurement.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected painful anterior trunk scar is granted, with the effective date being the date of receipt of the reopened claim on November 2, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip replacement with scar is granted a higher rating from July 21, 2016. Service connection for his left shoulder and left knee conditions are both established as secondary to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right arm scar and right wrist disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was denied due to failure to report for an examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for scars of the head, face, and neck is being remanded due to inadequate development. The AOJ must ensure that color photographs are taken by a VA examiner and uploaded to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the left knee, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee, and umbilical hernia with residual scar due to additional evidence or functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Right Chest Scar, and Hypertension) have rendered him unemployable since November 1, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU for the period beginning July 6, 2018, but remanded to determine if he was unemployable before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he has not provided necessary employment information and there is insufficient evidence to determine his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected surgical scar, tenderness of the surgical scar as secondary to prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal for a compensable disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this requirement as of March 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for stomach scars and leg scars have been dismissed. The claim for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent after January 30, 2017, for his residual scar status post left varicocele ligation was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision on these issues at this time because there are outstanding treatment records not currently associated with the claims file that may be pertinent to the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and surgical scar, L5-S1 fusion do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 9, 2019. The Board found that his other nonservice-connected physical disorders contributed to his retirement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for medical examinations to determine the nature, onset and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PFB and forehead laceration scars were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease (recharacterized) is rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2014. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.