Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to the lack of recent VA examinations.

The January 1968 rating decision denied the Veteran's implicit claim for TDIU, as it continued his existing disability ratings and did not address the unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board's decision is partially vacated due to procedural deficiencies and the issues of temporary total evaluation for a left knee disorder and increased rating for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to December 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral chest scars is remanded due to inconsistencies in the number of scars reported on prior examinations and a need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service connection for diverticulitis. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, traumatic brain injury; psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder; and an initial compensable rating for left index finger scar. The Board found no current residuals of a TBI or evidence of a psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder. The left index finger scar was rated as noncompensable due to lack of painful or unstable characteristics.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, headaches, depression, tinnitus, hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and scars, significantly impair his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for head scars, headache disability, TBI, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has restored a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's residual scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repair effective January 15, 2019. The condition was previously rated at 10 percent due to pain and reduced to 0 percent based on an examination indicating no pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various psychiatric, digestive, musculoskeletal, and skin conditions claimed by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again after these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral scars on the toes and sarcoma/lipoma due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's thoracic degenerative joint disease (back disability) is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 5, 2016 and 20 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,Since September 5, 2016, the Veteran's right heel scar has been rated at 10 percent. The claim for a higher rating is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for left knee disability, hemorrhoids, right shoulder scar, or cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee instability were not proper. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for right knee scars and left femur surgical scars are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent prior to August 16, 2018 and is now rated at 40 percent since that date.,Issues related to the Veteran's voice disturbance, scars from nevi removal, and scars from cervical fusion are still pending.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for initial compensable ratings for keloid scarring of the right shoulder and anemia with macrocytosis, resulting in their dismissal.