Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's employment as a machinist laborer from 2002 to 2014 was considered substantially gainful employment, and he did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of TDIU prior to May 1, 2014.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left pyelonephritis scar, finding that it was incurred during service and is manifested by a single painful scar.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for Crohn's disease and left hip condition, as well as the rating for HNP. The Veteran's hearing loss and early obstructive lung disease are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index and middle finger scarring was denied. Separate ratings were granted for painful scars of the left middle finger prior to January 21, 2020, and a noncompensable rating thereafter.,An increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inconsistency in the VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral collapsed lung was denied, but he received a grant of a 30 percent disability rating for his chest scars.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities do not interfere with his normal employability, and thus he is not entitled to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's arthritis of the left wrist, right wrist, left hand, and lower extremities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Her Raynaud's syndromes and knee/ankle conditions are also remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right foot burn scar and entitlement to service connection for a left foot and leg disability due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to a failure to file timely notices of disagreement within one year of notification letters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current condition and his active military service. The Board also found that he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but did not grant TDIU as the schedular threshold was met.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of lacerations to the left index finger and hand (scars) and residuals of a bullet wound to the low back (scar) have been granted. The lung disorder other than left upper lung adenocarcinoma claim has not been met.,A rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 12, 2019, and a rating higher than 40 percent thereafter have also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was denied as the severity, frequency, or duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for recurrent right eye corneal abrasions without decreased visual acuity or visual impairment (claimed as vision and secondary retina (scars, atrophy, or irregularities of)) was denied because there were no incapacitating episodes resulting in an evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the service-connected scars, including limitation of motion or function. The claims for initial compensable disability ratings and increased disability ratings are being remanded.

The Veteran's shell fragment wounds of the left upper arm have manifested with slight symptoms involving Muscle Group III, and minimal scarring without evidence of fascial defect, atrophy, or impaired tonus.,For the appeal period prior to June 7, 2016, the Veteran’s painful, superficial scar demonstrated very mild pain upon palpation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and disability ratings is remanded, while the TDIU claim from October 17, 2011 to April 4, 2012 is also remanded. The Board will consider whether the Veteran can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's post-total right knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, his bilateral hearing loss and right knee surgical scar are not compensable, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The Veteran also received a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his employment during the appellate period was not marginal.

The Board denied service connection for contact dermatitis and skin cancer with related scars, including abscesses, sores, and boils. The Veteran's GERD, PUD, DVT, and kidney disease were not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection was remanded for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.