Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a TDIU as they are not shown to be of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left testicle disability and left testicle scar are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms, as there was no atrophy or removal of both testicles.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion for revision of the February 27, 2020 decision on the basis of CUE because the case is pending before the Court.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from September 1, 2008 to July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer was reopened, and he is now receiving a 60 percent rating effective February 27, 2018. The effective dates for service connection for diabetic nephropathy and scar, residual prostate cancer are also set to this date. An increased rating of 80 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is granted as of the same date. TDIU due to diabetes mellitus is granted starting from February 27, 2018, and SMC is granted effective from February 27, 2018 through June 30, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of unemployability based on service-connected disabilities, and referred it for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye scars, cervical spine injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, lumbar spine injury, and right hip injury due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scar, residuals of a flesh wound to the right knee. The Veteran's right knee strain and right quadricep muscle injury are also found to be secondary to his service-connected residuals of a flesh wound to the right knee.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in February 2019 did not comply with prior remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars associated with bilateral plantar warts, linear scars associated with bilateral plantar warts, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and bilateral plantar warts are all rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis is granted as of April 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues include left knee disability prior to January 14, 2016 and thereafter, as well as a TDIU based on service-connected left knee.

The Veteran's right ankle scar, status post surgery, is currently rated at 0 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a more current VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left thigh scar was withdrawn. The claim for latent tuberculosis infection was denied as there is no evidence of active tuberculosis during or after service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence, while the claim for left leg and thigh disability (varicose veins) was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities and scar are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to evaluate their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is denied as his combined rating is at least 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.