Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient in-service medical records. The Veteran needs to provide information about his injuries and treatment during service, and VA will attempt to obtain any missing records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease with cardiomegaly, and if so, whether they contributed to his death.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is rated as 50 percent disabling from May 16, 2007 to August 20, 2015.,Entitlement for a higher rating for sinusitis with headaches from August 20, 2015 and thereafter is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left wrist fracture and associated scar, as well as tinnitus, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected suprapubic scars do not warrant a higher rating, and she does not meet the criteria for a permanent total disability rating due to her migraines.,Her service connection claim was initially granted based on direct evidence of a link between her scars and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of PFB, but found that no compensable disability rating was warranted prior to May 31, 2017. Effective May 31, 2017, a 10 percent disability rating was granted for painful scars due to PFB.

The Veteran's bilateral eye or vision disorder, including cataracts and astigmatism/presbyopia, is not service-connected.,There is no current evidence of a right forearm burn scar in the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anterior abdominal scarring prior to July 28, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show at least three unstable or painful scars. A 40 percent rating is granted from January 29, 2021.,The Veteran's request for a temporary total evaluation beyond February 1, 2014 due to surgery with severe postoperative residuals was denied as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast. The Veteran returned to work on light duty in August 2013 and continued to have some functional limitations.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for painful c-section scar and denied her request for an earlier effective date. The PTSD claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral retinal detachment, status post repair with chorioretinal scars, pseudophakia, and history of cataracts, status post removal was rated as noncompensable from December 15, 2015 to May 9, 2018.,From May 10, 2018 to January 22, 2020, the Veteran's bilateral retinal detachment, status post repair with chorioretinal scars, pseudophakia, and history of cataracts, status post removal was rated as noncompensable.,From January 23, 2020, the Veteran's bilateral retinal detachment, status post repair with chorioretinal scars, pseudophakia, and history of cataracts, status post removal was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's chest scars are rated at a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum allowed under the rating schedule. The Board found that his current scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not align with the requirements of DC 7804 or DC 7801.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected left ring finger scar, finding that the Veteran's scar is not painful or unstable and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 7801-7805.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for SMC under section 1114(o) and awarded two separate ratings of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left foot and ankle surgical scar prior to February 2, 2021 is denied.,A higher than 10 percent rating for left ankle limitation of motion prior to March 6, 2017 is denied. A 20 percent rating for this condition effective March 6, 2017 is granted.

A rating of 20 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating of 10 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is denied.,A rating of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,Restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for status post right ankle reconstruction with residual scar is granted, effective February 21, 2014.,Restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for lateral collateral ligament instability, left knee is granted, effective February 21, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).