Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a compensable rating for his right knee scar. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's disability rating for a residual scar, right shoulder surgery, was restored from 10% to 10%, effective September 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 4, 2015 were denied as the earliest date of claim was March 1979 when he originally filed his service connection claims. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's scar, which is a linear surgical scar on the anterior trunk measuring approximately thirteen centimeters in length, has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating, stating she was satisfied with the current rating of 30% for her service-connected thyroidectomy scar associated with hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran also has an ongoing TDIU appeal.,Service connection was granted for chronic prostatitis with erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency effective May 28, 2010. Service connection for depression and sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's hidradenitis with residual scars and recurrent cysts on the buttocks is rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as the scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7801.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected facial scar has not manifested by at least one characteristic of disfigurement, and there is no evidence of painful or unstable scars. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating for the facial scar is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and evaluation, including service connection for a left leg condition, an increased rating for right ankle sprain residuals, and an increased rating for cataracts.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, but granted service connection for a left shoulder keloid scar.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperthyroidism and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of laceration to the head, including cervical spine disability, vertigo, jaw disability and scarring; hypertension; right knee disability; erectile dysfunction (ED); and sleep disorder, including sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for testis removal, one, with scars is remanded due to the need for a clarification of the number of painful scars attributable to his orchiectomy.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hand scarring was denied. His request to reopen the left hand disability claim was granted, and he is now in receipt of a 10% rating for residuals of old fracture, right hand (3rd and 4th fingers). The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left lower extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy/radiculopathy and a rating higher than 10 percent for surgical scar on the left 5th metatarsal due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound. The right hip DJD, impairment of the thigh, and muscle injury are all rated at 50 percent. The deep and nonlinear scar on the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent, while the superficial and linear scar is rated at 0 percent. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis or eczema is granted. The Veteran's scars, residual of gunshot wound to the left side, are not entitled to a compensable rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The reduction in hearing loss rating from 20% to 0% is considered void ab initio.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for surgical scars of the left and right shoulders have been denied.,The issue of service connection for a right hip disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected bilateral shoulder disability, has been remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.