Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that SSA provide any underlying medical records used in their March 2012 decision on the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU prior to December 20, 2017. The Board found that he was actually working at that time and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a painful hernia scar, have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedules were not met.

The Veteran's residual scars from breast reduction surgery are rated at 30% effective July 15, 2019. The rating for chronic lumbar strain with facet arthropathy is granted but not in excess of 10%. Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is separately rated at 20%.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar, right knee was denied in a February 2012 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,Initial ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent were denied for left breast cancer, status post mastectomy, and prophylactic right mastectomy respectively. The Veteran's scars associated with her bilateral mastectomies are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is being remanded for further examination and rating. Other service connection claims are also being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her service-connected right knee, right foot, and right wrist disabilities were denied. The medical evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral anterior chest scars are rated at 30 percent, effective February 3, 2020. His posterior chest scars remain at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted since November 1, 2012, as his service-connected disabilities resulted in a combined rating of at least 70 percent and he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to PTSD.

The Veteran is currently employed and has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations, lack of notification regarding upcoming VA examinations, and unclear employment history. The issues include right lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars of the low back, PTSD, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and TDIU prior to April 24, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including referral to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his scar on the lip is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to August 22, 2019, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and scars, status post gall bladder removal and left arm shrapnel wound scar was granted with an effective date of March 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for anxiety, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and a skin disability (including actinic keratoses and bleeding knuckles) due to unresolved issues. The claim for melanoma on the abdomen with residual scar remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes, and his service connection claims were granted based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and painful residual scar, pilonidal cyst, status post excision was denied. The Veteran also appealed for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chemical dermatitis due to a lack of specific information regarding the extent and frequency of flare-ups. The case is being returned for further development.