Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appendectomy scar has not been found to be painful or unstable, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's compensable rating for his left hand scarring is denied as the scars are not painful or unstable, do not limit function, and do not affect an area equal to or greater than six square inches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that there was no in-service stressor and the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Headaches, Neuropsychiatric Disorder (with headaches), Anxiety, Residuals of TBI with Memory Loss, Right Eye Condition, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Post Traumatic Headaches with Dizzy Spells/Syncope (claimed as Migraines and Vertigo), Keloid Scars, and Tinnitus have been reopened. However, the claims for service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for actinic keratosis scar residuals, not of the head, face, or neck, is granted effective September 20, 2016.,A compensable rating (10%) is also granted for a painful skin cancer scar residual on the facial area, effective September 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing and following a gainful occupation, and the Board is remanding his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) to consider if an extraschedular TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including defective hearing and shell fragment wounds, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his left knee disability, including a 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion and a 40 percent rating for limitation of extension prior to February 11, 2016. He also receives a 60 percent rating for status post total left knee replacement from April 1, 2017 to February 20, 2018.,The Veteran is denied increased ratings in excess of 60 percent for his total left knee replacement and prior to January 8, 2019 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his left knee scars. He also receives TDIU from February 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in February 2020 are inadequate for assessing the Veteran's range of motion. Therefore, a new examination is required to determine if there is any structural abnormality and whether passive range of motion would be more limited than active.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for scars of the head and an effective date prior to December 22, 2017 for service connection for scars of the head have both been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was denied as he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating.,Service connection for the cause of death was also denied, with the Board concluding that COPD did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia and residual scars do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his education and experience allow for sedentary work.

The Board has remanded several issues related to various disabilities, including uterine fibroids, right knee disability, scars of the right knee and abdomen, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, left breast scars, Kienbach's disease with arthritis of the right wrist, and Kienbach's disease with arthritis of the left wrist. The remand requires consideration of additional evidence and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's IHD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The left forearm scar remains rated at 10 percent, with no change proposed.,PTSD was awarded a 50 percent rating from January 17, 2017 onwards, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, hepatitis C, skin cancer, neuropathy, residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back, buttocks, and legs, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a lumbar spine disability. The appeal is currently remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar was rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to pain but not instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, eczema of the right lower leg and chest, left chin scar, and left elbow scar. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service or any in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The right-hand scar is not compensable, the soft tissue sarcoma of the back (claimed) has no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure, and the bilateral flatfeet do not meet criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected scars, left eye and left groin. The issues have been restated to reflect that the effective dates of increased ratings are May 14, 2019.

The Veteran's forehead scar is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for head injuries and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol abuse, left shoulder recurrent dislocations and scar, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The attorney is entitled to 20% of any past-due benefits awarded as a result.

An earlier effective date of December 23, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a right knee scar is granted.,Entitlement to an initial rating of 70 percent for bipolar disorder prior to March 4, 2009 is granted.