Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scar of the left lumbar area status post shell fragment wound is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's bladder disorder with residual scar is denied as it was a reasonably foreseeable complication of the uroscopy and stone removal procedures, for which he provided informed consent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from April 19, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also noted that the grant of TDIU did not affect the effective date of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to failure to attend VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, affecting 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area, is granted a 30 percent initial rating from August 1, 2012. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for open-angle glaucoma suspect with a left eye corneal scar was granted effective May 1, 2001. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any new evidence or a presumption.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected penetrating shell fragment wound of chest and abdomen with 6th left rib deformity, residual scarring, traumatic and operative was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 30 percent rating were not met prior to February 15, 2017.

The Board has reinstated service connection for PTSD and granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran no longer meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, and thus discontinuance of SMC benefits is proper.

The Veteran's earlier effective dates for service connection are granted for Erectile Dysfunction, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and Surgical Scar Post Radical Prostatectomy. However, the appeal to assign a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right groin scar is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802 or 7804.,The Veteran's noncompensable rating for hernia, inguinal, right, operated is denied because it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under DC 7338.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to ensure that VA's duty to assist was satisfied. Specifically, the Veteran’s in-service injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident on August 11, 1990 are at issue and medical evidence of treatment immediately after the accident is relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scars resulting from multiple contusions and lacerations, other than those affecting his left knee. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also denied. However, a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as of July 13, 2015, was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his sleep apnea and psychiatric conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation since October 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee joint replacement and scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, entitlement to a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 23, 2016 for a 20 percent rating for herpes simplex keratitis and residuals is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for herpes simplex keratitis with residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his employment status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery and painful scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery are being remanded due to the need for proper notification of scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left inguinal hernia hydrocele and orchiopexy, left inguinal hernia scar, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, RUE CTS, and LUE CTS have all been denied.