Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of shell fragment wound, right leg was denied prior to October 10, 2016. From that date forward, he received an increased rating of 20 percent.,For his painful residual scar on the right lower extremity, the Veteran received a separate 20 percent rating effective from October 10, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal on two issues was dismissed due to his death. The first issue, service connection for a scar secondary to service-connected lumbar spine herniated disc with degenerative disc disease, is not addressed as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal. The second issue, seeking an evaluation higher than 10 percent for lumbar spine herniated disc with degenerative disc disease, was also dismissed.

An effective date of October 16, 2003 is granted for service connection for a right knee disability.,An earlier effective date for non-cancerous fatty tumors with residual scars is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for painful scar, right forearm is granted at a 10 percent from November 13, 2013. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD), right knee remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected head injury, residual scar of the right parietal scalp and headaches have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher evaluation for both conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a total rating due to individual unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for painful scars and neuritis of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's toxoplasmosis, chorioretinal scarring and loss of visual field and decreased visual acuity in the left eye, and corneal endothelial defect in the right eye were denied for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2018, and since that date. The current evaluation is 20 percent.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis for the period prior to January 26, 2005 due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and appendectomy scar alone caused him to be unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but his claim is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but no specific effective date or rating assigned is provided.

The Veteran's C-section scar is painful but stable, and the Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 22, 2016. From August 22, 2016 forward, the Veteran has a combined 100 percent schedular rating and is already receiving maximum benefits for his disabilities.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst claim was dismissed due to withdrawal. His low back scar claim was denied as secondary to a service-connected condition. A rating of 30 percent for laceration and surgical correction of the left foot from January 31, 2014 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions on whether his aortic valve disorder is related to his military service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The decision also notes that scars are inextricably intertwined with the aortic valve disorder claim and must be remanded as well.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of post-operative scars. The appeals for initial ratings and increased ratings are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of recurrent urinary tract infections and a compensable disability rating for her scar of the right hand. The Board found no evidence to support a current diagnosis of chronic UTIs or any residual effects from her in-service scars.