Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's folliculitis decalvans and painful scarring (head and neck) is granted with a 30% rating prior to December 15, 2020. Beginning December 15, 2020, the Veteran's higher rating for this condition is denied. The Veteran's folliculitis decalvans and painful scarring is granted with a 30% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, there is evidence suggesting he may be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that consideration of this TDIU claim for extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death and denied his application for VA survivor's pension due to insufficient evidence showing a causal link between his service-connected conditions and his death, as well as his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 2018. The TDIU is granted from that date, excluding the period from January 30, 2020, to February 29, 2020. However, his left knee disability needs further examination for a determination of its severity during the specified time frame.

The Veteran's disability ratings for compression fracture of L1 vertebra, right patellofemoral syndrome, left patellofemoral syndrome, and painful bilateral surgical scars (upper extremities) were reduced from their previous levels to lower ones. The reductions are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee meniscal tear, left knee meniscal tear with limitation of motion, left knee meniscal tear with instability, chronic right ankle strain, and scar, left side of head are all remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection and increased rating for various conditions, as well as the issue of whether the appellant's bad conduct discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The character of discharge issue must be addressed first.

The Veteran's painful thoracotomy scars, right chest, need to be re-evaluated due to a lack of recent VA examination. The current severity and impact on the Veteran's mobility will be assessed.

The Veteran's right knee scar condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a remand for further examination to assess his right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 13, 2014 through September 25, 2016 rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a TMJ disability and remanded the Veteran's claims regarding cervical spine, migraines, sleep apnea, chronic cough condition, soft to liquid diet, muscle spasms of the face and neck, Freys condition, and scars of the face and neck disabilities due to her now service-connected TMJ disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve was denied, and he is still receiving a 50 percent rating. The Veteran also received a compensable rating (10%) for his scar secondary to the service-connected disability of right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) chest scar residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for liver disorder, kidney disorder, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and scar of the head. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for submission of the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service on an extraschedular basis due to exceptional aspects associated with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's painful linear scar. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding bilateral shoulder condition, right ankle reconstruction with residual scar, and lateral collateral ligament instability of the left knee due to the appellant's withdrawal request.