Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain gainful employment prior to September 8, 2008. From September 8, 2008, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities met the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD), migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral instability, post-operative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and surgical scars of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his respiratory issues from non-small cell lung cancer and scar from lobectomy do not significantly impair his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eye disability, specifically his claim for service connection. The examiner needs to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's current eye disorders are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence being added to the record, but not yet considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete evaluations of the Veteran's right elbow disability, including a lack of findings on a Peripheral Nerves Conditions DBQ.

For the initial rating period from April 1, 2011 to November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is granted.,For the initial rating period after November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is denied.,A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the left hand scar is denied.,An initial non-compensable (0%) disability rating for the healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot (left ankle disability) remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient compliance with directives and additional examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the time period from January 30, 2017, for residual scar status post left varicocele ligation is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 30, 2014 and TDIU prior to May 2, 2019. The claim for a 60% evaluation for coronary artery disease beginning December 2, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar on the back of his head, left arm weakness, and headaches have been granted. The claim for Meniere's disease has been denied.,Service connection is established for a laceration scar on the back of the Veteran's head.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's discharge from service was upgraded to honorable conditions, thus the issue of whether his discharge bars VA compensation benefits is dismissed. The Board also notes that the underlying claims for service connection are not issues within this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee surgical scars was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 2012 for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected right knee surgical scars was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his case, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, voiding dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and scars as secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for mood disorder associated with his prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for a medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, left palm scar, hypertension, and right wrist ulnar styloid unfused apophysis. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU.