Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right elbow scar is granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current lumbar spine disorder, but did not determine if it was related to his military service.

The Veteran's additional disability, including lung scarring with decreased pulmonary function, chronic congestion/illness, low sex drive, heart strain, sleep apnea, and allergies, was caused by VA treatment resulting in hospitalization for neutropenia with resulting pneumonia in July 2013. The Board found that the Veteran’s declining white blood cell count was not communicated to his physician until nearly two weeks after it entered an alarming range, finding this delay inappropriate. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to VA treatment in July 2013 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for painful upper abdominal quadrant circular scar and for a compensable disability rating for upper abdominal quadrant circular scar. The scars are not service-connected, but rather are related to chemotherapy treatment for the Veteran’s service-connected lymphoma.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities due to in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA). The Veteran's claims are referred for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her current disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, but his scars from a head laceration and right knee disability are. The rating for headaches remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating and were of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to January 12, 2012 for a separate 10 percent rating for his service-connected right anterior chest scar. The claim was filed on January 12, 2012 and the effective date assigned is based on VA examination findings from March 2012.

The Veteran's scar, healed infected cyst, left thigh was denied a compensable rating prior to August 8, 2019 and granted a 10 percent rating from that date onwards.,Service connection for pituitary microadenoma, claimed as brain lesions due to spider bite during service, was denied.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst with residual scars resulted in one or two painful and unstable scars, which warranted a 20 percent rating. The decision is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's left thigh scar wound is granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's left-hand pain boxer’s fracture (residuals) are denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies a TDIU.

The Veteran's right foot surgical scar was initially rated as noncompensable prior to July 11, 2017. From July 11, 2017 to March 31, 2020, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his scar due to pain. The Board has remanded the case to consider additional evidence and determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, atypical headaches with features of migraines, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period from August 1, 2007 to May 25, 2009.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left foot paresthesia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied.,Service connection for a right hand disability, other than status post boxer’s fracture of the right 5th metacarpal has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 15, 2011.