Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc at L5-S1 (back disability) and a head scar, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations for actinic keratosis and eczema, as well as surgical scars of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right wrist, left thumb, and associated fingers were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for any of these conditions.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for his right hand scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will need a new examination to assess his current left shoulder disability severity.

The Board has granted a 90 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected visual disorder, effective as of January 31, 2020. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disabilities affecting his chest, face, and legs. The evidence does not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 7, 2011 were denied as a matter of law due to the finality of the January 24, 2000 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected right foot disability, hallux limitus status post cheilectomy with scar, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of June 13, 2017 for the Veteran's service connection claim for right hip osteoarthritis with osteopenia, left hip osteoarthritis with osteopenia, and bilateral linear hip scars. The decision was based on the Veteran submitting a completed application within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran's right eye disability, which includes a corneal scar and astigmatism from a shell fragment wound, was granted a 20% rating effective November 22, 2019. The condition manifested as impaired visual acuity correctable to 20/70 with active pathology.

The Veteran's kidney removal scar disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia is rated at 10 percent since September 18, 2013. Effective October 23, 2018, he received a separate 20 percent rating for scars on the neck, right flank, and left arm due to pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, left ankle degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, tender scars, inter-trochanteric fracture of the right hip, radiculopathy involving sciatic nerve on the left, and right knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his disabilities are sufficiently disabling to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for dermatitis scars and dermatitis have been granted, with the highest possible ratings under current criteria.,Issues related to hearing loss and a right foot plantar wart are being remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues: the initial rating for a low back disability, the initial rating for an inguinal hernia scar, and the issue of SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. Additional development is needed in each case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to new evidence showing worsening of his service-connected low back disabilities and left knee chondromalacia with meniscal repair and residual scars. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations, obtain additional records, and provide a full review of the case.

The Veteran's residual scarring of the left head area due to basal cell skin cancer is granted as service-connected. However, his left ankle disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the examination records and the need for further medical evaluation.