Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scars are not rated higher than the current 10 percent, and no compensable rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for further examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's belt lipectomy/abdominoplasty scar and migraines are granted, but the service connection for insomnia is remanded due to missing records from a sleep specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the right thigh muscle group XIII with two scars. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new VA treatment records being available. The RO will review these records, conduct any necessary additional development, and then readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to undeliverable correspondence, and the Veteran's updated address needs to be confirmed and the January 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) resent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for the service-connected painful surgical scars on his lumbar spine, right knee, and lower neckline have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbar spine arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for a corneal scar of the right eye, OSA, and hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for OSA and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left eyebrow scar, finding that it does not meet the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to clarify the Veteran's respiratory diagnoses and determine which PFT reading best reflects his level of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions render him unable to work, leading to a grant of TDIU. He also needs aid and attendance due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Board granted service connection for a left upper extremity neurological disability and granted an increased rating of 10 percent for status post right inguinal herniorrhaphy with scars (inguinal scars). The low back benign intradermal inclusion cysts were also granted, but only prior to March 14, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right ankle scar is denied as there is no diagnosed current disability.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for status-post traumatic deviated nasal septum is denied due to the lack of evidence showing less than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a VA scar examination is needed to address the discrepancy in reporting of right shoulder scar size between 2013 and 2018. An addendum opinion is also required regarding whether any current disability of the left shoulder is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 16, 2012 to July 5, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI residuals and scarring on the left side of his head. The claim for TBI was granted, but the claim for scarring was reopened and subsequently denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for ganglion cyst, scars of the right wrist, vision loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety in excess of 50%, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected and claimed conditions, including left lung scarring, obstructive sleep apnea, nerve damage of the upper back, left shoulder disorder, and chest wall stiffness. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.