Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted from January 3, 2013 to August 6, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for the entire period on appeal is denied. Other claims are also addressed.

The Veteran's goal of becoming a helicopter flight instructor is feasible, but further development is needed to determine if additional training or changes in career goals are necessary.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for linear and nonlinear left index finger scars is denied as the evidence does not show that his scars meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment. The case was referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience prior to June 13, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD alone prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate. The issues of increased ratings for other service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Polysubstance Dependence have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since April 13, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as part and parcel of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his painful right neck scar and separate limitation of motion was granted. A TDIU since September 7, 2016, and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) were also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or TDIU prior to January 23, 2009.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left humerus, right ankle and scar disabilities due to their recent worsening.

The Veteran's tension headaches were initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 4, 2019 and are now rated as 30 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his tension headaches.,The Veteran's left leg varicose veins were initially rated at 10 percent prior to November 4, 2019 and are now rated as 20 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his left leg varicose veins.

The Board has decided that additional information is needed from the October 2020 VA examiner to properly assess the Veteran's right knee conditions, and therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability: a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of reconstruction, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for instability, and an initial compensable rating for surgical scars. The remand requires additional development including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a new examination, and providing a retrospective opinion on the impact of flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically from a VA medical center and non-VA orthopedic records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization or copies of any private treatment records he wishes to have considered.

The Board has decided the TDIU claim and remanded for further examination of shoulder conditions. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent for shoulder disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his left shoulder disorder and TDIU prior to May 28, 2015 are being remanded due to inadequate development. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.