Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the back, left shoulder, and bilateral lower extremities prevent him from working. The Board has referred his claim for TDIU to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the worsening of his back disability.

The Veteran's combined rating for his left knee disability is 60 percent from April 3, 2015. The claim of increased ratings prior to this date is denied as a matter of law due to the 'amputation rule'.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's abdominal scar, finding that his symptoms of painful scars meet the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of December 22, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran is entitled to additional compensation for myofascial pain syndrome related to his service-connected residual scars.

The Veteran's keloid scars are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to their deep and nonlinear nature. The Veteran's infertility effective August 22, 2016, is granted as secondary to her service-connected severe refractory dysfunctional uterine bleeding.,The Veteran's bladder disability requires an appropriate VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left axilla skin abscess scar is granted, with an effective date of August 14, 2020. The Veteran receives a 10 percent rating.

Your claim for a higher disability rating for left shoulder surgical scar has been granted with a 30% rating effective April 22, 2015. Your other claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2014 to May 8, 2017. A higher rating for the entire period on appeal is denied. The Veteran's left ankle scars are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, which satisfies the requirement for a single disability rated as 100 percent. However, his other service-connected disabilities do not independently rate at 60 percent or more, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for scars on various parts of his body, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the claimed stressor.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals on multiple issues, including service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to these withdrawals.

The Veteran's corneal scar is granted as secondary to his service-connected herpes simplex keratitis of the right eye. The issues regarding the rating for herpes simplex keratitis and residuals of a right thumb fracture are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and benefits have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for skin disability. The remaining conditions have been granted based on their direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, a cardiac disorder other than hypertension, and an eye disorder due to potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from March 29, 2010 to May 6, 2014. The low back scar is also rated at 10 percent since May 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.