Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a surgical scar and higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an unstable or painful scar were both denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, claiming it as residuals of right lung scarring. The evidence did not show that his current condition was related to his military service or exposure to jet fuel and/or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, and anemia.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to the Veteran’s reduced sex drive. The claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's painful scar on the right wrist warrants a 10 percent disability rating due to its pain but not instability or limitation of function.,The linear scar on the right wrist does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating as it does not exceed 6 square inches in area and is not unstable or painful.,Anemia has been rated at 10 percent since November 2018, with no evidence of improvement to warrant a higher rating.,Fibromyalgia was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Costochondritis has been rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial compensable ratings for cholecystectomy and right upper and mid quadrant scars, as well as service connection for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, sickle cell anemia, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a prostate condition. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including evaluations for various conditions and service connection claims. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is no evidence of a penile deformity. Other claims are also remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a through and through gunshot wound of the right thigh. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right thigh scars was denied, as were claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (subthreshold PTSD) and major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, CAD, hypertension, CVA, seizures, left arm disability, right arm disability, right eye disability, tinnitus, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal disability, scars, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's painful left thumb laceration scar is granted a 10 percent rating effective September 26, 2016. The claim for an initial compensable rating for disabling effects of the linear scar other than pain was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent total disability. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for scarred fallopian tubes, infertility, and uterine fibroids due to inadequate opinions regarding causation.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lower lumbar spine scar and remanded the evaluation of his left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the radiculopathy issue.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 12, 2018 due to a lack of consideration of the side effects of the Veteran's medications on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, standing alone, did prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 5, 2019. The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

For the period from August 17, 2011 to January 16, 2014 and August 18, 2016 to September 22, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative arthritis of the spine is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, resulting in a denial for higher ratings.,From January 17, 2014 to August 17, 2016, the Veteran's right ankle sprain was limited at most to 30 degrees plantar flexion and 0 degrees dorsiflexion, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating.,From August 17, 2011 to February 11, 2019, the Veteran's status post left arthroscopic meniscectomy with post-operative scarring was manifested by painful motion and limited range of motion, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,Since April 1, 2020, the Veteran's status post total left knee arthroplasty with post-operative scarring is not manifested by severe weakness, ankylosis, or extension limited to 30 degrees, resulting in denial of a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the mootness of the skin disorder claim. The remaining issues were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. TDIU benefits have not been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left elbow, left lower leg, and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions and determining if TDIU is warranted prior to October 23, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted from September 28, 2010 to June 30, 2015.