Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum disability is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating has been denied.,For his residual scar post left varicocele ligation, the Veteran was granted a 10% rating effective January 30, 2017. The Board finds that further review is needed due to conflicting VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the restoration of a higher rating for degenerative disk disease, lumbar spine with herniated disks at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The claim for restoration of a 10 percent rating for residual scar status post L3-L4 laminectomy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a painful scar, linear scar, and limitation of motion of the left ring finger as residuals of a laceration were denied. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and the Board denies entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right eye disability (central scar) due to new and material evidence received since the April 2008 rating decision. The Board found that the Veteran had a right eye disability related to an in-service injury, granting service connection.

The Veteran's postoperative hernia scars and right lower extremity neuropathy have been rated at 0 percent, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that these conditions do not meet criteria for a higher rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) as his combined service-connected disability rating is only 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of painful left foot scar was denied. The service connection claims for low back disability, right ear hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychiatric disability were remanded. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's right middle finger amputation with scar is not rated compensably, as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5154.,Prior to April 25, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated noncompensably disabling. Since April 25, 2019, his hearing loss is not rated in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's upper lip scar, including its effects on both interior and exterior portions of his mouth. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to new evidence received since the August 2017 Statement of the Case.

All issues are remanded for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral foot scars and left leg scar, but granted service connection for recurrent cysts of the face, legs, and groin. The Veteran's PFB rating was restored from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple gunshot wounds and resulting injuries, have rendered him unable to work due to severe physical limitations. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of a higher rating due to limited motion.,The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the right radial head are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner found no functional impairment and normal range of motion.,For status post right fibular fracture, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent from September 15, 2014 onwards. Prior to this date, the Veteran's disability was considered asymptomatic. After September 15, 2014, the VA examiner found moderate limited motion of the ankle.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur is rated at 10 percent from May 11, 2015 to September 12, 2016. After this date, the disability is rated higher than 50 percent.,Hypertension is not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,Left ankle scars associated with status post left ankle open reduction internal fixation surgery are currently rated as noncompensable.,Surgical scar status post open reduction internal fixation right fibula fracture is also rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's initial rating for his scar, residuals of a laceration of the left forehead, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder) and right carotid artery stenosis are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of residual surgical scars of the right anterior neck and right hip have been dismissed as they were previously adjudicated by the Board.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a disability of the right upper extremity has been granted, but the issues are remanded due to lack of proper venue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and back conditions due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to a lack of recent medical evidence and an updated examination is needed.