Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to errors in obtaining relevant records and providing adequate opinions.

The appeal is granted because the November 2017 Statement of the Case was sent to the incorrect representative, and thus the Veteran's representative filed a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that he does not meet the criteria to receive this benefit due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was granted SMC for his spouse.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for lipoma removed residual scars on the anterior trunk and right upper extremity, as well as a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities, were denied.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking increased ratings for various shell fragment wound (SFW) conditions and scars, citing the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran has limited motion with pain, but without limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level or limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from April 4, 2012, to April 5, 2012, and from July 1, 2012, to October 19, 2013. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during these periods.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and residual internal and external scars of Caesarean sections, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to active duty for training.,There is no direct evidence showing that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder or scars from a C-section were incurred during her military service.

The Veteran's right knee scars are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s low back disorder or left knee disorder are related to service. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity for an examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with depression, which may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.,VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and instability.

The Veteran's left femur fracture with scars and knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period from June 24, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's right hand scar is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection for septal telangiectasis is granted. Service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes is denied. Increased ratings are granted for prostatitis, GERD with diverticulitis, hemorrhoids with hematochezia, and scars status post-staphylococcus infection prior to July 27, 2016. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, a right leg disability (claimed as right leg being longer than the left leg), occipital neuralgia, vision loss secondary to TBI residuals, and a dental condition for treatment purposes are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars associated with ischemic heart disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected surgical scar, chest associated with coronary artery disease; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was denied for a compensable evaluation and an evaluation in excess of 60 percent. The TDIU ratings were also denied prior to June 21, 2012, and from September 1, 2012, to September 14, 2014. An effective date of September 1, 2012, was granted for Dependents’ Educations Assistance (DEA).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's head injury and head scar, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions are considered in determining that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient evidence of their etiology. The Veteran was hospitalized during service for pneumonia and empyema, which may be related to his current conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for bilateral open angle glaucoma and a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left eye chorioretinal scar, effective May 14, 2020.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10 percent rating for a residual surgical scar on the left foot was granted. However, her claim for an increased rating for left foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy, was denied.

The Veteran's keloid scar, status post pilonidal cystectomy, was granted a 10 percent rating effective July 2, 2006. A 20 percent rating was granted from April 11, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.