Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective since August 1997. The claim for a higher rating was denied.,The initial noncompensable rating for the left anterior knee scar remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his painful scar on the left forehead or disfiguring scar on the left forehead, as there is no evidence of more than one scar with instability or pain, or visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features. The Veteran's migraines are not manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran does not have a current disability of heart disease, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, GERD, back disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, or right carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence does not establish exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for left knee recurrent subluxation, left knee limited extension, right knee scar, a temporary 100 percent rating for right total knee replacement, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 24, 2017 for service connection for right knee scar is dismissed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 30, 2012.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from the date of claim (October 30, 2012).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient evidence from Duke University Health System, which is a private provider.

Service connection for a migraine headache condition and scar on the forehead, residual to head injury is granted. Initial disability ratings higher than 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea unguium pedis, to include unstable or painful scars is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to conflicting findings regarding his right knee disabilities, including ankylosis. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to September 27, 2019, and 10 percent thereafter. The claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran’s painful surgical scar, status post left total knee replacement, was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to October 28, 2019. The claim for a higher disability rating from that date forward is denied.,The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.,The Veteran’s service-connected painful surgical scar was rated as noncompensable prior to October 28, 2019. The claim for a higher disability rating from that date forward is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for a left knee scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any scars being painful or unstable, and thus no higher rating could be assigned under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, tension headaches, and scars of the bilateral shoulders and knees due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because, despite having multiple service-connected disabilities, they do not collectively render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was unclear and did not specify which issue(s) he wanted to appeal.

The Veteran's initial ratings for laceration of the left ear and a left ear scar have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating codes.

The Veteran's right elbow strain and left leg scarring have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each. The TBI residuals with cognitive disorder NOS/ADD and tension/migraine headaches remain at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for another examination and opinion regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, including any residual scars from his in-service arthroscopic procedure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a GI disability, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for left arm fracture, left thumb fracture, left-hand scar, and diaphoresis are denied.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and her scars on neck and breast are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of initial ratings for right knee chondromalacia (10 percent) and left knee chondromalacia (10 percent).,The Veteran's low blood pressure claim was denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment due to the condition during the appeal period.,Her right ear hearing loss remains at 0 percent, with a May 2018 VA examination showing her hearing acuity has not improved enough for an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected left wrist scar is denied, and the issue of service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a right elbow disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claim of an initial compensable rating for a right elbow shrapnel wound scar is also remanded due to the need for further development.