Scars decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the initial compensable rating for deep and nonlinear scar as the appellant withdrew her appeal in April 2019.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings due to procedural issues, including a failure to issue an SOC on these matters. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it relates back to the original claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right hand disability and scar. The claims are being reconsidered due to receipt of additional relevant inpatient service treatment records from Brooks Army Medical Center.

Service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran's headaches are linked to her service-connected PTSD and/or TBI.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder condition, surgical scars, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were discontinued due to her failure to cooperate with extended evaluation and the determination that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a cervical spine/left shoulder condition is granted. The issue of service connection for the left scapular scar is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conversion reaction manifested by headaches is granted a 50% rating from May 23, 2016. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted a higher initial 40 percent rating for the Veteran's surgical scars on his right leg, finding that they are painful and unstable.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and surgical scar) did not interfere with his normal employability, so he is not entitled to a 10% evaluation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Veteran's service connection for painful scars on right hand and scar residual of surgery to right hand is being remanded due to issues related to effective dates, increased ratings, and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 10, 2011. A 10 percent rating for status-post laceration of the right long and ring fingers with residual painful scar is also granted effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and bilateral neuropathy, as well as his right flatfoot condition. The claims for a surgical scar of the right foot and diabetic foot ulcers have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected status post right epididymectomy and scar in the right inguinal area was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his PTSD rating in excess of 30 percent is dismissed. The Veteran was unable to maintain employment due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and cardiac issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for PTSD, right eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).