Scars decisions — 2020

Service connection for PTSD, left hand laceration scar, and right leg cancer has been granted. Service connection for TBI, right eye laceration scar, and left shoulder disability (impingement syndrome) is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disability (tendinopathy changes of the supraspinatus) is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right-hand burn residuals, as well as their impact on his occupational and daily functioning. The claims are not about service connection but rather about rating determinations.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded. The appeals for rating in excess of 10 percent for a left finger deformity and a painful scar of the left fifth finger are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 8, 2010, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for his left and right foot scars is denied as he is already receiving that rating since the effective date of service connection.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral pseudophakia and macula scar is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but the claims are remanded due to need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for residual shell fragment scars of the left leg, nose fracture residuals, left eye dacryocystitis, PTSD, and TDIU rating prior to December 18, 2013 due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar on the nose is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation and clarification regarding his heart condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral chorioretinal scars, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right wrist disabilities are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current severity.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a back disorder, separate ratings for agoraphobia, nervousness and depressive disorders, and higher ratings for the right arm and left shoulder scars, painful right arm scar, right wrist and hand arthrofibrosis, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition was denied. The appeal seeking to reopen the claim for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a disability rating of 50 percent for headaches.,Service connection for sleep apnea, blood condition, dental condition, and abdominal scar were all denied.

The Veteran's right-hand scar at the tip of distal lateral third finger is granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective from when he filed his claim in August 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, athlete's foot, appendectomy scar, and sialadenitis were all denied. The Veteran was granted initial compensable ratings (10%) for athlete's foot, appendectomy scar, and sialadenitis. His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee residuals of lateral meniscectomy is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee scars and status post total left knee arthroplasty are granted with specific disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar and hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for UTIs, bilateral open-angle glaucoma, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for conjunctivitis prior to August 16, 2017 are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on three issues have been dismissed. The Board has remanded one issue: the evaluation of thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hysterectomy, adhesions, and scarring was granted with an effective date of August 29, 1996.