Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and cyclothymic disorder) alone supports a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted a 60% rating as of November 5, 2020. His hearing loss and scars are denied higher ratings. The Veteran's CAD remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right inguinal hernia, obturator nerve neuropathy, genito-femoral nerve neuropathy, and right inguinal scar (painful) due to outstanding Social Security Administration records that may contain relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and PTSD disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 5, 2009. The Board denied entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular consideration basis.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, contact dermatitis with angioedema, and scars from fatty tissue excision. However, an earlier effective date of January 9, 2009 was granted for the 40 percent rating for the lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of head injuries, headaches, and psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, excessive scar tissue on the back and acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety), diabetes mellitus, type II, right arm disorder, left arm disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims are remanded for additional development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable evaluation for scarring of the right hand.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a scar on the left arm was granted. A rating of 70 percent was assigned for residuals of crush injuries to the left arm, characterized as damage to muscle groups V and VI, damage to the brachial artery, and damage to the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a left shoulder disability prior to July 8, 2014 was denied. Since July 8, 2014, a rating of 30 percent has been granted for the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a left wrist disability is denied.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation for her painful/unstable scar from appendectomy, which was initially granted in July 2007. The Board has remanded the case to consider whether there is clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the assignment of this rating.

The Veteran's SFW right hip, pelvic girdle muscles of the right hip (Muscle Groups XVI and XVIII), anterior and posterior chest with scars, right side, and muscles of the neck have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is in receipt of a 50 percent evaluation for his anterior and posterior chest with scars, right side, as this falls under the combined rating rules.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection and rated at 10%. The right and left great toe scars are granted a 10% rating. The Veteran's migraine headaches remain at the maximum schedular rating of 50%. Service connection for a back disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The residual scars previously scars, removal of swollen lymph nodes are not rated as compensable. The chronic headaches prior to January 24, 2020 and the relapse fever (previously fever, night sweats) prior to January 24, 2020 are each granted a 10 percent rating. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand prior to January 24, 2020 is granted a 10 percent rating and the carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand prior to January 24, 2020 is denied higher than a 10 percent rating. Multiple joint pain prior to January 24, 2020 is not rated as higher than 10 percent. The idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis prior to January 24, 2020 is also not rated as higher than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral foot disorders due to potential secondary service connection, requiring additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU for the period prior to October 5, 2011 is granted due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an adequate medical assessment and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2011.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected T12 compression fracture. The Veteran's left mandible fracture, chin and neck scar, status post T12 compression fracture, left sciatic nerve paralysis, right index finger shrapnel injury, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral toenail fungus, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied or granted with specific ratings.