Scars Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 9, 2017, through March 13, 2017. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his residual scars due to shell fragment wounds on the left scapular area and right shoulder and thorax, as they were not adequately addressed in the previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease caused or aggravated his asthma, as well as if any symptoms of asthma can be separated from his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and scarring alopecia have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, as well as further consideration of his increased rating claims. The issues include PTSD, anal sphincter injury, left peroneal nerve injury with foot drop, fractures of the right tibia and fibula and pubic bone, chest trauma, TBI, ADHD, and a TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for corneal scarring with photophobia was denied as the evidence did not show more than minimal visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine were both denied due to lack of in-service injury, event, or disease; no continuity of symptoms since service; and no medical nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The left ankle, fibroadenoma, and anterior trunk scar issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for exostosis of the skull and granted a compensable rating (10%) for her head scar. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for residuals of a left hand injury, service connection for residuals of a right hand crush injury, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, circulatory disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, and left lower extremity scar are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional VA and private treatment records are needed.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a wasp sting residual face scar. Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder and insomnia. Hypothyroidism service connection is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the January 2021 decision, including a failure to consider whether the evidence of ear drainage and diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media support a finding that there is suppuration under Diagnostic Code 6200. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his right tympanic membrane condition will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected scar, right thigh and knee was denied as the scars did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 due to their small size and lack of underlying soft tissue damage.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual scar of the right eyelid has been granted.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for manic depression, alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder as well as headaches to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right knee condition, which has rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's abdominal scar and post tubal ligation syndrome are granted service connection.,Her right shoulder disorder claim is reopened, but the issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for his right eye disability is denied as it is not shown to be related to active duty. The Veteran's sciatica claim is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for painful surgical scars associated with ischemic heart disease status post CABG from February 7, 2006 through November 18, 2015 is granted. The higher initial ratings requested are denied.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are not related to service, and the Board finds that a current headache disorder was less likely caused by or aggravated by his mental health disabilities.,There is no evidence of a laceration scar in the groin area during service. The Veteran's current scar above the right eyebrow does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's scars secondary to his service-connected residual of liver cancer, including a liver transplant, are being remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, to include on an extraschedular basis, is denied. Service connection for a right knee disability and a compensable disability rating for service-connected scar of the left foot are remanded.