Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scars residual to left leg abscess has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right inguinal hernia scar was denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating under the applicable schedular criteria.,Service connection for COPD was also denied because there was no medical evidence linking the condition to asbestos or lead paint exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) scar is granted. Service connection for a blood disorder is denied. The lumbar spine disability has been rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% since July 1, 2011, to November 19, 2019.

The Veteran's hidradenitis of the right axilla and post-operative burn scar of the left thumb are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board denied increased ratings for both conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for post-surgical scars of the right shoulder, left shoulder and right wrist is denied. An initial 30 percent evaluation is granted for eustachian tube dysfunction throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for scars on the scrotum, left forearm, and forehead. The decision also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's abdominal surgery and resulting scar are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded two cases involving the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities for further examination and clarification of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of inguinal hernia repair and increased ratings for post-herpetic neuralgia (residual of herpes zoster) and herpes zoster scars, finding the evidence did not support a grant of benefits.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of informed consent forms for the hernia repair procedures. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's right eyebrow scar was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not exhibit at least one characteristic of disfigurement.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, skin condition (rosacea), autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, residuals of liver transplant, and hepatic encephalitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claim for increased rating for postoperative left tibial plateau fracture with a meniscal tear is denied, but the issue of service connection for this condition will be remanded. The claim for increased rating for left knee surgical scar is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for her scar above the left eyebrow prior to February 22, 2018 was denied.,A 30 percent disability rating has been granted for the scar above the left eyebrow from February 22, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fractured left tibia was denied, and his TDIU prior to December 3, 2013, was also denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of TDIU since August 11, 2010.

The Veteran's right upper quadrant scar, which is painful and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage, has been granted a 10 percent disability rating.