Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for heart disorder, lung disorder (COPD), and left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure.,The scar on the right hand does not warrant a compensable rating.,Higher or separate ratings for hip disabilities are denied.,Increased ratings for knee conditions are granted.,Right knee instability and meniscal tear of the right knee are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected scars are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of underlying soft tissue damage.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left knee disabilities and knee scars, finding that December 8, 2016 is the earliest possible effective date based on the date of receipt of his petition to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's right knee scars are rated at 20 percent since April 28, 2014. One scar is both painful and unstable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for surgical scars status post right nephrectomy and status post ventral hernia repair, finding that a single painful scar warrants only a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to May 2, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability was dismissed due to his death. The Board must dismiss the appeal without prejudice as it is not possible to continue the appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residual surgical scars of bilateral bunionectomy was denied as the scars were not painful or unstable and did not interfere with use of his feet.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant liposarcoma and its residuals, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether this disability is related to service. The Veteran was diagnosed with malignant liposarcoma with residual scarring during service when he had a skin growth removed.

The appeal for service connection of chronic eye disorder and a higher rating for the right hand scar is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including monoclonal gammopathy, sleep apnea, stomach lining thickening, bilateral hearing loss, hydrocele of the testicle, and right hip scar. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches was reopened but not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are not met.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected esophageal cancer and its residuals, including dysphagia. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are being reviewed, as is the rating for the disabilities. A sleep impairment claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional opinions from a VA podiatrist. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation that is consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's rosacea was granted a rating of 30 percent effective February 6, 2020.,Since February 6, 2020, the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for facial scars and back scars has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and updated evidence, as well as for further examination.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for minor degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and a scar status-post pilonidal cyst drainage, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability on secondary basis to the service-connected left knee disability, and a left knee scar. The Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service injuries.