Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, left ankle sprain and fracture residuals, and left ankle scar, are found to be sufficient to prevent the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective July 3, 2019. The bilateral foot scar and tissue damage and undiagnosed illness and unexplained chronic-multi-symptom illness claims have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral lichen planus and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted for the period from October 1, 2009 to August 7, 2013 due to dormant lichen planus with residual scarring. From August 7, 2013 onwards, a 30 percent rating was granted for bilateral lichen planus. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it manifested without polyps or significant nasal obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for PTSD are denied. The claim for brain tumor with scar is remanded.

The Veteran's anterior chest scars, associated with heart surgery, are rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not necessitate the need for aid and attendance, as he is able to perform most of his daily activities independently.

The Veteran's pleural plaques with COPD and chronic pleural effusion are rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2018. Special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound status prior to December 14, 2018, is moot due to the award of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her scar on the right heel is denied as she does not have more than two painful scars of the right foot, and her scars do not cover an area of 929 square centimeters or more.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her scar on the medial right foot is denied as her scars do not cover an area of 929 square centimeters or more.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her neuropathy of the right foot is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8523.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an abdominal disability, a right lower quadrant scar, and an umbilical scar. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated during his periods of active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, loss of balance, chest numbness, right and left upper extremity disability, sleep apnea, COPD, sinusitis, ventral hernia, and a higher rating for the chest surgical scar.

The Veteran's painful left groin scar is rated at 10% from April 1, 2009 to October 29, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records from RTC Great Lakes Recruit Training Command, specifically those related to a left index finger injury and infection during service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various conditions, including a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a separate 10 percent rating for meralgia paresthetica. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, and gunshot wound residuals. However, the Veteran did not receive a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or a higher rating for his left knee instability.

The Veteran's scar of the neck has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher.,Service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The Veteran is also seeking a compensable rating for his epididymal cyst.

The Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, and he was granted TDIU effective September 23, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of gastric bypass surgery revision and residual scars from gastric bypass surgery revision, finding that her pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his recurrent pilonidal cyst (scar) is remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of all evidence, including the Veteran's subjective statements.