Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia status post-surgical repair is not rated compensably due to recurrence of the condition.,The Veteran’s left inguinal scar warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 20, 2020.

The Veteran's abdominal scar is granted a 10 percent rating effective May 25, 2011. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s single abdominal scar was unstable.

The Board denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, IVDS with residual scar, and left leg sciatica as these conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions. The effective date of any grant is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.,Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as instability of the right knee prior to December 21, 2015.

The Veteran's right foot and ankle scar was granted a compensable rating, while the service-connected back scar had its disability rating restored to 10 percent.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right foot disorder caused by VA medical treatment was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and securing substantially gainful employment that is consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to December 19, 2016. The appeal for the period from December 19, 2016, to July 1, 2018, is dismissed as moot due to SMC at a rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). TDIU on or after July 1, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A compensable (10%) rating for a right upper extremity scar associated with a service-connected right wrist disability has been granted from November 20, 2014, to October 25, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude 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) due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for preexisting acne and acne scarring, finding that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for acne vulgaris with residual scarring, finding that the Veteran's current skin issues are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's partial right knee replacement is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 24, 2020 and 20 percent since that date. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate.,For the period prior to January 24, 2020, the Veteran’s right knee was manifested by flexion to 130 degrees and extension to zero degrees with tenderness, swelling and pain; there was no evidence of recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or dislocated semilunar cartilage. For the period since January 24, 2020, the Veteran’s right knee was manifested by flexion to 30 degrees and extension to zero degrees with tenderness, pain, swelling, weakness and fatigue; there was no evidence of recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or dislocated semilunar cartilage.

The Board denied a higher rating for left knee replacement scars, finding that the scars were neither painful nor unstable and did not cover an area of 39 square centimeters or more.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for right-sided facial scarring as it was granted in an October 2020 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a scar of the head was denied as his single scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for residuals of TBI and right knee condition were both denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or illness. Service connection for left knee condition, migraine headaches, and pulmonary condition were also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues, including reopening of claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities. The effective dates for the awards are not specified.