Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected residual right heel disability, including a painful scar and mild neuralgia of the popliteal nerve, is granted with an initial 20 percent rating effective June 30, 2009.,A separate 10 percent rating for Haglund's deformity associated with the service-connected residual right heel disability is also granted effective June 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including lung cancer and scarring of the lungs, is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case will be developed further regarding this theory.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran’s claims for higher ratings related to lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Bell's Palsy were not addressed as they are not on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for scarring, right lung (also claimed as pulmonary disorder), and compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Peyronie’s disease.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left ankle disability, neck scar, and abdominal and upper left thigh scars. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for scars, bilateral great toes, status post bilateral nail excision is denied.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bell’s palsy with right facial paralysis, right eye ptosis and loss of right nasolabial fold is denied.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right shoulder is remanded.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder, left foot bunion, and left foot great toe fracture are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess his disability levels accurately.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his Substantive Appeal with respect to the issue of increased disability rating for residual facial scars.

The Veteran's acne icepick and keloid scarring is rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective September 22, 2005.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural issues, including obtaining updated VA psychiatric examination records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left axilla and left clavicle scar, finding that there was no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for painful scar, status post cyst removal from the head has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the knees prior to July 24, 2017 was denied. The claim for an increased rating for scars of the knees since July 24, 2017 was also denied.,The Board found that there is no basis upon which to award an earlier effective date than February 28, 2014, for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee surgical scars. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to its inextricability with another issue.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right inguinal hernia and a separate 10 percent rating for his related surgical scar, effective since December 28, 2015. The ratings are based on recurrent symptoms of pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, back, and abdominal disabilities. The left jaw scar and acne issues are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for back scars and granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability.