Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot scarring is granted with a 20% disability rating for each foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of all respiratory diagnoses and symptoms, including borderline restrictive lung disease. The Veteran's VA treatment records must be updated, and an addendum opinion is needed from a pulmonologist regarding whether his respiratory disabilities are related to herbicide exposure or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requisite schedular percentages for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 24, 2017. The Board found that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a disfiguring scar, right lower back. The issues are being returned to obtain updated VA treatment records and VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chorioretinal scarring with tiny limbal cornea scarring has not caused any impairment of visual function or incapacitating episodes, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection for various conditions as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scars of the feet, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for painful scars, status post right orchiectomy, is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's residual scars, status post right orchiectomy, are also denied as they do not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for dermatitis and scarring is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU for further action by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of vocational rehabilitation and functional capacity evaluations, which were not provided by a vocational rehabilitation counselor as directed in the previous August 2019 remand. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include posttraumatic stress disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, right hip osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and several other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a residual scar from a head laceration was denied. The Board found that the current area of discomfort did not match the location and nature of the injury sustained during active service.,An initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for the service-connected scar of the low central back is granted effective January 12, 2021.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 5, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ due to lack of medical records relevant to the Veteran's peritoneal mesothelioma. The Appellant is reminded to provide any missing information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional vocational rehabilitation training benefits to obtain a law degree and retroactive induction into a rehabilitation program for completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management due to incomplete records and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip replacement and lumbosacral strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants TDIU effective October 1, 2017.

The Veteran's left buttock scars are rated at a 10 percent since October 18, 2012. The rating is granted but not compensable prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection has been denied. The right arm disability, including the gunshot wound residuals, is not rated higher than 10 percent due to limited range of motion. A separate rating for carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is also remanded.