Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC prior to January 13, 2020 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC. However, from January 13, 2020, his TDIU based on his acquired psychiatric disability satisfied the requirement for a single disability rated total and combined with other disabilities, met the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's right arm scar, which is stable and non-tender with a total area of less than 929 square centimeters, has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7805. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scars, including any post-service surgeries that may have affected them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and compensable ratings for left knee disability, left knee scars, and right knee scars were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied in 1994, and he did not have any pending appeals at the time of his death. The Board found that the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected scars warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is granted as it is presumed due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.,Service connection for the thyroid disorder is denied because there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his claims. The initial disability rating for anxiety disorder remains denied, but other issues are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and left ankle degenerative arthritis with history of sprain and instability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that her symptoms did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess his functional limitations due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and scar (right hand) status post laceration were denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his increased rating claims, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, have precluded his employability since June 18, 1983. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 18, 1983 on an extraschedular basis and dismissed the claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and a compensable rating for left knee conditions, leaving no issues remaining to be decided.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right-hand burn scar residuals from October 17, 2004 to April 24, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected kidney removal scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or pain of the scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pterygium with dry eye syndrome and scar, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand includes obtaining additional VA treatment records, private community care ophthalmology or optometry treatment records, and scheduling another VA eye examination.