Scars Board decisions

The May 2018 rating decision assigned a 20 percent disability evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and a 10 percent disability evaluation for his spinal scar, both effective September 7, 2012.,The Veteran's appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent left leg cellulitis residuals including a scar and left ear hearing loss are granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he can perform sedentary work despite his limitations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Appellant's income and whether she has dependents, as well as to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of her husband's death. The issues of service connection for cause of death and service-connected burial allowance are also remanded.

The Veteran's right foot disability and surgical scars are currently rated as 10 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a TDIU claim, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU. The VA will need to consider whether his disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and basilar scarring of the lungs, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection in a previous rating decision. The remaining issues are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if he has loss of use of his upper or lower extremities, which would be required for SMC(r)(1) entitlement. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars related to his right arm stab wound was denied as the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2019.

The Veteran's initial rating for a left hand scar and initial compensable ratings for left upper extremity scars are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis as of February 1, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung disability, and neuropathy. The remand is due to incomplete or inadequate examinations, outstanding VA records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, IBS, Hemorrhoids, Right Thumb Scar, Right Ear Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2020. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and additional efforts are required to verify his service in Saudi Arabia during the Scud missile attack. If confirmed, further examinations will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combined had an 80 percent rating with one individually rated at 50 percent, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left foot hallux valgus (bunions), and left ankle disability have been granted service connection.,Reasoning: The evidence shows that the Veteran had in-service injuries or diseases resulting in current disabilities, and there is no evidence of pre-existing conditions. All reasonable doubts are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar tissue with numbness has been dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted. The issue of service connection for cervical spine disability is reopened, but no new rating assigned. Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied. Bilateral hearing loss and back disability are not rated compensably or increased.