Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his scar based on disfigurement was denied, but he received a separate initial 10 percent rating for one painful scar from the head laceration of the right temple.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the denial of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The issues on appeal are an increased rating for status post left inguinal herniorrhaphy and scars associated with it, as well as TDIU prior to April 8, 2014.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding effective dates for service connection of scars and painful scars due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain updated information about his most recent employment and to request an opinion regarding the combined effects of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 3, 2013. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not show total unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in prior examinations and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his death prior to a decision.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current lung conditions and his in-service asbestos exposure. The VA examiners concluded that the pulmonary nodules, right lower-lobe scarring, atelectasis, and mild restrictive lung disease were not caused by asbestos exposure without any evidence of actual asbestosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating from January 9, 2004 to December 10, 2007. The left hand and left forearm scars are each granted a 10% rating starting February 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete information. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee scar is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for neck/cervical spine disability, left knee disability (including as secondary to service-connected ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella), lumbar strain, ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella, and lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's inguinal hernia and residual scars, but has remanded issues regarding hip disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scars on the right eye and nose was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there were no three or four unstable or painful scars.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dental injury with implant, tooth number 8 was also denied. The Court noted that VA must separately evaluate loss of vocal articulation and other impairments under appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or its residuals is denied, but she is granted service connection for the residual scar from a head laceration on her scalp.

The Veteran's left arm scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating due to stable and non-functional scars.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for sleep apnea and increased ratings for abdominal scars, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, PTSD, left ankle scars, Achilles tendonitis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and headaches due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.