Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 13, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a left thigh scar has been denied. The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for his left thigh scar, but no higher.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder, initially claimed as bilateral eye disorder. The issue of service connection for a left eye disorder is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 17, 2009 for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities increased in severity to the point where he was unemployable by reason of those conditions within one year prior to August 17, 2009.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for her left foot scars was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For the period from December 29, 2016 to the present, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left foot, left ankle, and right knee scars was also denied as there is no indication that these conditions warranted a higher rating than what she currently receives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The scar from a fragment wound of the right thigh was not granted a compensable evaluation, and the left buttock scar received a 10 percent evaluation beginning July 23, 2018. For hearing loss disability, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to October 1, 2020, and a compensable evaluation starting from that date were denied.

The Board found that the calculation of the combined disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities was correct, resulting in a 40 percent rating. The claim for a higher combined rating is denied.

The claim for service connection for thrombophlebitis of the left leg was reopened as new and material evidence was submitted, but further action is required to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for scars and burns to the left lower extremity, finding no evidence of fault on the part of VA in providing care.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the chest, bilateral legs, and right forearm are granted a rating of 30 percent effective October 31, 2020.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since December 23, 2019. The earlier effective date of May 1, 2015 for the 30 percent rating assigned for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted.,The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are each currently rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began on May 1, 2015. The initial ratings in excess of these percentages have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for the scar on the right thumb status-post laceration prior to November 12, 2019. The Board also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder from August 22, 2016.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back disability, sciatic and femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a compensable rating for a surgical scar on the back.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to address the severity of his cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a right hip condition with scar, due to an oversight in filing.

The Board has granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of use of both buttocks was denied as there is no evidence that the incident caused a permanent disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a heart disability and scar associated with ASD surgery due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is alleged to be related to her SVT, which may aggravate her service-connected scars.

The Board remands the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and pressure ulcer, as well as the TDIU claim, due to deficiencies in the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in August 2016 during active service and is considered a disability incurred therein.,Service connection for the left knee disability, including arthritis and strain, as well as surgical scars from open reduction surgeries, has been granted.