Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar degenerative disc disease.,The VA examiner is requested to provide clarification on the severity of the muscle group injuries in the Veteran's left shoulder as well as assess the impact of his newly service-connected cervical spine disability on his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including evaluations for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a tremor disorder and dry mouth, as well as an increased rating for right fibula fracture with traumatic arthritis, right ankle with scar.,No effective date is assigned in this decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied, and a higher rating since August 27, 2020, is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus, weak bladder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and gynecological problems, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 5, 2002. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 31, 2015 to June 5, 2019. From June 5, 2019, the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% rating for lung cancer and SMC based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that additional examinations are necessary to address the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and associated scars, as well as to determine if his hypoglycemia is related to these conditions. The issues of increased ratings for hiatal hernia with GERD and associated scars, TDIU, and SMC are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a compensable rating for his left leg burn scar.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current back disorder or any link to military service. The Veteran’s back disorder is considered to be related to post-service work activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, which is a requirement for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The Board denied the claim as the evidence does not support actual loss of use.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and physical conditions such as back pain, knee issues, hip problems, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, left lung scar, and lingular pneumonia have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and no rating assigned.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for tension and posttraumatic headaches was denied.,The Veteran's claims for shell fragment wound scars, including scars on the middle lower back (sacrum), left buttock, left inguinal area, and right posterior thigh, as well as residuals of a shell fragment wound to the middle lower back (sacrum) with injury to muscle group XX, were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the periods from January 14, 2008 to December 9, 2009, and from July 1, 2010 to October 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for incisional abdominal scars associated with GERD prior to January 3, 2013 was denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for painful surgical scars from January 3, 2013, to April 30, 2016. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 20 percent for the same scars since May 1, 2016 was denied. A TDIU prior to April 7, 2010, was also denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear and right ear, osteomyelitis, bilateral hip disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and back scar are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on new evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his residual painful scar from pilonidal cyst is denied as the evidence does not show that he has three or four unstable or painful scars, and the current rating of 10% adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that prior to March 31, 2006, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.