Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for action consistent with prior instructions regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of a scar associated with his lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and increased ratings for abdominal scars and painful scars due to an insufficient examination in October 2020. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hysterectomy residuals and various orthopedic issues, have rendered her unable to work in any physical or sedentary job throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's ADHD is not service-connected as it may be a congenital or developmental defect.,The Veteran's lymphedema of the right leg remains unclear and requires further evaluation.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's left wrist scar, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, his claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, as well as to schedule VA examinations. The effective date of the award of service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, right leg varicose and venous stasis ulcers, and right leg scars have rendered him unable to maintain a substantially gainful occupation since May 16, 2011.

Your claims for increased ratings for left knee scar and total replacement are being remanded to the RO for additional development. You will need to provide any missing medical records, and your case will be reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 2012 for his right eye disability, as there is no evidence of a prior claim filed before April 25, 2014. The effective date was set at April 25, 2013 based on a liberalizing law.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied, as the evidence did not show that his range of motion had been limited to 25 degrees from the side at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful scarring of the anterior trunk and left lower extremity associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery was denied. The scars were rated at 10 percent, but not more due to lack of instability or pain in additional scars.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for other scars from his coronary artery bypass graft surgery was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA and private treatment records, which are necessary for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder scar.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for dermatitis is granted. The appeal is granted to that extent only, as the initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent and an effective date prior to June 8, 2016 is denied. An earlier effective date of June 8, 2015 for coronary artery disease bypass scar is granted, but no effective date prior to June 8, 2016 for service connection for allergic rhinitis or PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The Veteran needs to provide updated information, and a VA examination is required to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fractured left wrist with residual scar since July 25, 2018 is denied. The highest schedular rating available based on limitation of motion throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on need for aid and attendance claims have been denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GAD was granted service connection effective August 6, 2012. The increased rating for wrist scars is granted and the effective date is set at October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to January 9, 2020. The Board found that he maintained employment through at least early 2020 and his contentions were outweighed by the opinions of VA examiners.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development regarding his lumbar spinal stenosis, status post-operative scar. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and clarify the severity of the Veteran's flare-ups.