Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of fractured left tibia and fibula with left ankle strain and degenerative changes are rated at 20 percent, effective October 17, 2016. The initial compensable rating for scars of the lower left extremity is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted. The housebound claim is moot as a result.

The Veteran's trunk scar was not manifested by an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater, and the Board denied a compensable rating for his trunk scar.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity scar was not manifested by an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater, and the Board denied a compensable rating for his right lower extremity scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lipoma removal from the top of his head has been granted. His claims for left and right ankle disabilities, excluding Achilles tendonitis, have also been granted with effective dates based on when he first filed his initial claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected conditions, and his headaches are secondary to these disorders. Service connection has not been established for anemia or right knee chondromalacia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disability, surgical scar on the left wrist, and right inguinal hernia status post-Bassini repair. The evidence did not support higher ratings as there was no ankylosis of the left wrist or recurrent hernias during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2012. The evidence did not support that the Veteran was unemployable at that time due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, or scar of the left chest.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the scar is rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a higher rating for either condition is not warranted.,The Veteran’s left knee scar does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected scar, residual forehead (also claimed as face or neck) disability. The claim will be evaluated based on new evidence and an updated rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to lack of loss of use of limbs, blindness, or inhalation injury.,The Veteran was not found in need of regular aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities as he had dementia which is not service connected.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as incurred during service.,Right deltoid scars and right lower leg disability are remanded for further development.,A left knee disability is remanded for further development.,Tinea versicolor of the posterior thorax remains remanded for further development.,Right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder and back disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sunburn scars was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection is remanded for the issue of whether the Veteran has a left hip disorder, including any neurologic manifestations related to his service-connected back disorder.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, specifically regarding the Veteran's reports of numbness, pain, and functional impairments related to his hernia scar. The claim for service connection for asthma (now claimed as breathing problems) will also be remanded.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, adrenal gland cancer, and lung cancer have been granted service connection. Service connection for post-surgical scars related to these conditions has also been granted.

An increased rating of 60 percent for a skin disorder, folliculitis, is granted as of April 4, 2016.,A rating of 10 percent for scarring alopecia is granted from October 19, 2017 to January 21, 2020. A rating of 20 percent is granted since January 22, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 12, 2012 for service connection of residual surgical scars on both feet is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his residual surgical scars on the bilateral feet is denied.

The Veteran's post-operative right inguinal hernia has not been shown to be recurrent. The most probative evidence of record reflects that for the period on appeal the Veteran has been shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is already in receipt of a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 for his residual, scar post-operative right inguinal hernia. A higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 is not warranted.,The Veteran's combined evaluation exceeded 40 percent from March 23, 2007, and he meets the schedular requirements for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, and wrist conditions due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.