Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including instability and a right rib resection scar, are rated at 30% effective January 22, 2014. The right flank scar is rated at 10%. No new rating for the right rib resection was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 80 percent for residual scars and disfigurement of the head/face/neck has been granted.,The claims for service connection for tubular adenoma, colon polyps, and dizziness due to heat exposure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia is denied as the symptomology is considered duplicative of their already granted service-connected sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Board has also remanded issues related to cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), and a residual scar for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder and post-surgical scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent treatment records and the possibility of worsening.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post back surgery syndrome was denied as the VA examination reports were inadequate to evaluate the disability on appeal. The Veteran cancelled a scheduled VA examination and did not provide good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of at least one hand or foot, nor does he have ankylosis of either hip. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, were found to be sufficient for a TDIU prior to May 10, 2017. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's eye condition, including corneal scarring and dry eye syndrome, is remanded for further examination and review. The examiner must determine if the conditions are related to service, particularly his time in Iraq where he served in the Gulf War theater.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed. The Board found that the grant of service connection for burn scars was clear and unmistakable error (CUE). As a result, the Veteran lost his benefits related to burn scars, including DEA and SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder, and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the previous remand.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee scars have been granted initial compensable ratings.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for total reconstruction of urinary tract due to urethral stricture disease, with residual scar tissue and voiding dysfunction, has been dismissed as the Appellant agreed with the March 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal was partially granted, with some issues being denied and others having their evaluations adjusted. The decision also addressed the effective date for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of burn scars on legs and torso, finding clear and unmistakable error in the December 1981 rating decision that denied such claim. The decision is based on the correct application of law regarding aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hidradenitis with scarring and recurrent exacerbations is rated at 60 percent, the highest possible under current criteria. The scars associated with his hidradenitis are also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial compensable rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues during the April 2022 Board hearing.