Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a hernia is remanded. His scar was previously rated as noncompensable, and from November 27, 2018 to December 10, 2019, he received a 10 percent rating. The Board found that the criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating were not met after December 10, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his hip and knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The RO assigned separate ratings based on different issues, but the Board found that a single rating of 30 percent was more favorable than separate ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a noninitial compensable rating for his service-connected right elbow medial linear ulnar nerve release scar, as the evidence does not establish underlying soft tissue damage or an area of 144 square inches or greater.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 30, 2018 to November 28, 2018. His claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded and his temporary total rating based on hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for left knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the TDIU claim and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's attorney requested copies of the curriculum vitae of VA examiners who conducted examinations on his behalf.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are granted. The right hand burn scar residuals rating is remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for corneal scarring in the right eye is granted. The claim for service connection for vision loss due to conditions other than corneal scarring in the right eye is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issue of a compensable disability rating for service-connected lower lip scar and residual scar from sebaceous cyst removal. The other issues have been resolved.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation due to additional disabilities of the right eye and pulmonary embolism/thrombocytopenia resulting from cataract surgery were denied as there was no evidence that these conditions resulted from VA care or fault.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and remanded the issue of service connection for an appendectomy with residual stomach scar.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of May 25, 2011. The claims for tobacco use disorder, left foot disability, right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left leg disability, and right leg disability were all denied as not related to service or due to other pre-existing conditions.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea was denied. The claim for residuals of a left forearm scar was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7528.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 22, 2016 to June 5, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU subsequent to June 5, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the extent of service-connected PFB and whether any keloid scarring is related to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right wrist scar has been dismissed as the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and readjudication due to new VA records being added to the file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The case is now REMANDED to the RO for further development.,A staged disability rating of 10 percent for a residual scar of the right cheek, as due to pain, from December 3, 2013, under Diagnostic Code 7804 has been granted. However, the initial claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual scar, stab wound, right shoulder is being remanded due to the failure to schedule and complete a VA examination.