Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's migraines associated with TBI are granted a 30 percent rating, effective August 5, 2021. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of extension from July 26, 2021. Other issues and conditions remain unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his right eye disability. The case will be returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 10, 2016 and July 23, 2016 for residuals of rectal fistula repair associated with IBS and surgical scar, rectal fistula repair are granted, with an effective date set at February 2, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 7, 2014.,The Veteran is currently entitled to a TDIU rating on a schedular basis effective September 8, 2015. However, his case was remanded for additional development regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The reduction in rating for the Veteran's painful scars from 30 to 10 percent effective February 7, 2018 was improper; therefore, the 30 percent rating is restored as of the date it was reduced.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for male gynecomastia, status post breast surgery, is denied.,The Veteran's entitlement to a rating higher than 30 percent for his painful scars, status post excision of breast tissue, is also denied.

The Veteran's skin cancer residual scars and disfigurement due to skin cancers of the head and ears do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,For both conditions, the preponderance of the evidence does not support an increase in the current 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia and scar associated with hernia repair are remanded due to the possibility of increased severity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach ulcers is remanded as there has not been an opinion regarding any relation to medication taken for his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a condition of the hips (claimed as bone deterioration) is remanded due to potential relation to radiation exposure during service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right inguinal hernia, stomach ulcers, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knees are remanded due to need for additional examination on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability is remanded as there is need for assessment of current functional impairment caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for right wrist disability was denied, and the Board has remanded his claims for left hand and thumb disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for his left ring finger condition.

The Veteran's facial trauma residuals and post-traumatic left hemicephalia/headaches have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected traumatic deviated nasal septum with scar has also been denied, as it does not meet the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for stage 3 breast cancer and a compensable rating for scar, right knee status post knee replacement are dismissed.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, and his initial 30 percent rating for painful abdominal scars is granted prior to November 25, 2016. The appeal regarding deep/nonlinear abdominal scars and superficial/nonlinear abdominal scars is not addressed as they are denied.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent since February 20, 2018. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for his pinguecula with corneal scarring and a higher 30 percent rating for his infiltrative keratitis and open angle glaucoma after November 23, 2020.,The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent since February 20, 2018. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for his pinguecula with corneal scarring and a higher 30 percent rating for his infiltrative keratitis and open angle glaucoma after November 23, 2020.,The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent since February 20, 2018. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for his pinguecula with corneal scarring and a higher 30 percent rating for his infiltrative keratitis and open angle glaucoma after November 23, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a disfiguring scar, right lower back. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations at his correctional facility. The appeals are related and must be addressed together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acne scars on his face and neck, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support such a claim.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right eye corneal abrasion with corneal scar is now rated at 10 percent from February 8, 2021, forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues on appeal, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected pilonidal cyst and scars. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and VA's Director of Compensation Service found that he is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.