Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right hallux valgus, postoperative bunionectomy and laceration scar, right thumb are rated at the maximum available under their respective diagnostic codes. The left foot hammer toe is not service-connected.,An increased rating for the Veteran’s right hallux valgus, postoperative bunionectomy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA pulmonary examination to assess the Veteran's lung cancer residuals and any related disabilities. The issues of service connection for a pulmonary disability (including bronchitis and shortness of breath) and entitlement to TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with the reduction rating issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 9411.,Effective July 1, 2010, the Veteran’s actinic keratosis with status post basal and squamous cell carcinoma to include scarring on the left eyebrow/eyelid is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

An effective date of November 13, 2013 is granted for the grant of service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The earlier effective dates for left shoulder and ankle scars are denied.,A 20 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear nature of his chest pain and need for clarification regarding the severity of his scars. The issue will be reconsidered after a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the scar on the left side of the Veteran's forehead was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% effective August 1, 2019. A separate 10% rating for a painful back surgical scar was granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scarring, stress incontinence, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), and residuals of a July 1986 total hysterectomy are all granted. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her in-service surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for his scars and right little finger fracture were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability of hearing loss in accordance with VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a residual scar on the left groin from surgical repair of an inguinal hernia is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment, and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of left and right shoulder degenerative joint diseases, abdominal scars, and right knee instability. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's right knee instability was granted a 10 percent rating from April 18, 2013, and a 20 percent rating from May 31, 2018. The claims for femoral nerve radiculopathies are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 14, 2012. The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection for various disabilities as the Veteran did not allege specific errors of law or fact in the determinations.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as of September 6, 2010, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from all substantially gainful employment prior to December 2, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the addition of unreadable and illegible VA treatment records. The Veteran needs to provide copies of his own medical records if they are not already in the file.