Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and midline lumbar surgical scar have been granted effective June 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations and because the issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left arm scar due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right knee scar and a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful right knee scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral varicose veins and related conditions are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the inextricable interconnection with other pending claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran is unable to engage in sedentary employment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right foot conditions have been denied. The highest schedular rating of 10 percent has been granted for each condition, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his keloid scar left inguinal region was denied as the evidence did not show that it warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for scars, midline infraumbilical and suprapubic prior to June 26, 2019, was denied because he did not have five or more painful or unstable scars. After June 26, 2019, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for scars, midline infraumbilical and suprapubic was also denied as his service-connected scars were already assigned the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain, chronic patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chronic rotator cuff syndrome of the right shoulder, painful scar of the right ankle, and chronic tendonitis of the left first metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to service. Service connection for GERD and left ear scar disability remains denied.

Service connection is granted for left and right foot bunions, parasthesia of the right lip, chin, and tongue, tinnitus, and a laparotomy scar.,Remaining claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected cyst excision scar on the bridge of the nose was denied as there is no probative clinical or lay evidence showing visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature, warranting a higher 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye blindness, finding that his chorioretinal scar and optic atrophy existed before service and were not aggravated by it. The right eye vision disability claim was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an aortic valve disorder and scars due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for further clarification on the progression of the Veteran's CAD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot drop and a disability characterized by brain scarring, including multiple sclerosis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's back of head scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7800 due to lack of visible or palpable tissue loss and no characteristics of disfigurement.