Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left eye corneal stoma scar resulted in a visual acuity of 20/50 uncorrected near vision, and the Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating. The appeal for service connection for back and bilateral hip conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is denied as moot due to the existence of a compensable rating for his service-connected disabilities. The Board has also remanded several issues for further development, including an examination for bilateral inguinal hernia and scars, and for readjudication.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of scars, but they are not painful or unstable and thus do not warrant a higher rating.

Service connection granted for sinusitis. Effective date prior to February 19, 2014.,Service connection denied for left and right shin splints. Effective dates prior to February 19, 2014.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability with scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has not fully considered the evidence and remanded issues related to left hand disability and scar evaluations. The case is being returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal, specifically not pursuing the issue of an initial compensable rating for the service-connected skin graft scar of the left leg.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post bilateral radical mastectomy with right axillary lymph node dissection, thyroid cancer, and metastatic cell lymphoma of the neck due to exposure to ionizing radiation during her military service.,The Board also remanded issues related to secondary service connection for a right arm nerve damage and a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of the middle finger scars, left hand claim is dismissed. The right eye injury with scar issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a healed open dislocation of the left fifth digit at the PIP joint, a scar on the left hand, and right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,Service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's scars are not rated higher than the current 10 percent, and no compensable rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for further examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's belt lipectomy/abdominoplasty scar and migraines are granted, but the service connection for insomnia is remanded due to missing records from a sleep specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the right thigh muscle group XIII with two scars. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new VA treatment records being available. The RO will review these records, conduct any necessary additional development, and then readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to undeliverable correspondence, and the Veteran's updated address needs to be confirmed and the January 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) resent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for the service-connected painful surgical scars on his lumbar spine, right knee, and lower neckline have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbar spine arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for a corneal scar of the right eye, OSA, and hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for OSA and hypertension are remanded for further development.