Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating prior to January 8, 2014. The right knee scar was also denied an initial compensable rating.,Prior to January 8, 2014, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating due to limited flexion. As of January 8, 2014, his disability warranted a 40 percent rating based on pain and functional loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his employment as an assistant manager at a car wash is considered substantially gainful, and he has not provided further clarification of his employment status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, head scar, skull disorder, and sleep disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.,While the Veteran reported experiencing various symptoms related to his claimed conditions, the VA examinations did not find any diagnosed condition that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other eye conditions are remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as they were not properly before the Board in the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative scar, lumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's postoperative scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805. For his lumbar radiculopathy, the Board determined that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 40 percent after January 28, 2021.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, Type II, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, sepsis, residuals of breast cancer, status post double breast mastectomy, and mastectomy scars. The Veteran's representative has requested that the VA examine her for these conditions to determine their relationship with her service-connected total hysterectomy, removal of uterus and both ovaries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and multiple radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC have been remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an initial rating for his service-connected gastric cancer status post resection (80%) stomach and associated scar are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for second degree burn scars, finding no competent evidence of record that shows he has such scars etiologically related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending.

The Veteran's chest scars from surgeries for gynecomastia are service-connected.,Prostate cancer is service-connected as it had onset within one year of active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective September 10, 2015. The Veteran also received an increased TDIU rating.,Service connection for the Veteran's miscarriage and right knee disability are both granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's conditions and assigned an effective date of April 1, 1961.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees related to the October 2014 rating decision is denied as his former attorney was not eligible due to the lack of a valid NOD on TDIU and DEA claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral central serous retinopathy with maculopathy and macular scars.