Scars decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date because the grant of service connection was a nullity due to VA's error in processing his claim, and the issue had already been decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability claimed as snow blindness is granted. The claim for removal of wisdom teeth is denied. Service connection for mild corneal scarring in the left eye is granted, but no other current eye disabilities are found to be related to service. Service connection for residuals of an allergic reaction to a penicillin shot is denied.

The Veteran's disability, characterized by two painful scars, is currently rated at 10 percent under the rating schedule. The Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board has vacated the June 1, 2018 denial of service connection for various conditions and initial ratings. The Veteran's claims are now considered granted.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars from appendectomy surgery were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus but not for the other conditions.,For PTSD, the Veteran received a rating of 70% which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.

This case is dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's residuals of right patellar fracture prior to May 23, 2016 are not entitled to a higher than 10 percent rating.,Right knee scar status post right patellar fracture is not compensable.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, horizontal surgical scars to the anterior neck, above the suprasternal notch, residuals of thyroid cancer, status post (s/p) total thyroidectomy, and major depressive disorder for new VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's osteoradionecrosis of the left mandible is granted a rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The facial scars are granted an 80 percent rating from August 19, 2013 to March 14, 2015 and denied any rating in excess of 80 percent since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable disability ratings for scars associated with his coronary artery bypass graft surgery are being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left pinky finger condition and scarring.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for iatrogenic pneumothorax, atelectasis, and pleuritis. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for post-thoracotomy syndrome, back scar, and abdominal scar are REMANDED to the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head/scalp, finding that it is not related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right inguinal hernia disability and any associated scars. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with this claim.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his post-surgical scars was dismissed. The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 20 percent for four painful post-surgical scars associated with lumbar spine disability and an additional initial compensable rating of 10 percent for one unstable and painful post-surgical scar.

The Veteran's skin cancer residuals, facial scars, and upper extremity scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom exacerbation and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of sinusitis, nasal polyps, and a right hip disability. The rating for scar, left eyebrow is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her left heel spur, keloid scar from cesarean section, and sciatic nerve of the left leg have been granted. The application to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for heart disability and hypertension has also been granted.