Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings in several conditions, including left sided sciatica radiculopathy and sinusitis. The Veteran's lumbar spine scar and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted initial compensable ratings, while his spermatocele (status post vasectomy) and right ankle sprain with instability were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee disability and other musculoskeletal issues, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 19, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his cervical spine disability, assess the severity of his lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and TDIU. The issues on appeal include service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative joint disease, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right knee, left knee, and low back made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 30, 2012. A TDIU was granted effective February 7, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment, and the Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right foot and toes conditions, head injury, bilateral knee conditions, and a leg scar related to the in-service fracture. The Veteran's current disabilities are not definitively linked to his tibial plateau fracture.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, bronchiolitis, right eye corneal scar disability, and left eye corneal scar disability are all granted service connection. Service connection for hyperopia is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for hearing loss, headaches, TBI, mandibular malunion with TMJ, septal fracture post rhinoplasty, left femur fracture residuals, and scar of the left femur.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have not been shown to be severe enough for a compensable rating.,His excision sebaceous cyst scar has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for asthma, head laceration scar, an acquired psychiatric disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 10, 2017.

The Veteran's miscarriage during service was granted as service-connected, and she is also entitled to increased ratings for her right knee and back disabilities.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankles, and arthritis of his entire body. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective December 20, 2000. The Board also remanded the issue of whether a TDIU is warranted prior to December 20, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected right leg varicose veins and associated scar do not render him unemployable due to his physical limitations, as evidenced by his employment history and medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and temporary total evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines has been granted, and his TDIU has also been granted. The issues of service connection for pancreatitis, right shoulder disability, and PTSD have all been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted service connection. The claim for a residual scar of basal cell carcinoma, status post excision, to include as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and the need to consider a urological disability related to his service-connected back disorder.