Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's low back disorder due to reported worsening symptoms. The other issues related to skin cancer and left leg scars have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer from May 1, 2015 to November 25, 2019 are denied. A 60 percent rating was granted after that date.,A 20 percent rating for prostate surgery scars and a 20 percent rating for erectile dysfunction with a deformed penis are granted.,The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer require absorbent materials to be changed more than four times per day, but not an appliance. The Veteran has three painful prostate surgery scars that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7801.,The Veteran’s erectile dysfunction with a deformed penis meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed appeals regarding PTSD, acne with facial scarring, and painful scars of the face. The lung disorder appeal is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to February 24, 2014, or due solely to a single service-connected disability from February 24, 2014, to January 9, 2017, and after March 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and right lower extremity burn scar, as well as his claim of service connection for flat feet. The VA will schedule examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions and obtain a medical opinion regarding the flat feet claim.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for vitiligo, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, TMJ syndrome, right forearm laceration scar, Bechet's disease with intermittent flares of iritis, acne, mouth ulcers, and joint pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for left ring finger fracture and left little finger fracture are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his service-connected hip disorder. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying her periods of active duty service and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide more specific information about when she sustained a head injury resulting in a left forehead scar during Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for eczema from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior 30 percent rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar and eczema are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 30, 2008, for a 10% rating for left wrist scar and ganglion cyst was granted. The increase in disability occurred prior to the filing of the claim but is factually ascertainable.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disabilities, a left elbow scar, and a dental disability to obtain additional service treatment records. The Veteran must provide copies of any DD Forms 2808 and 2807-1 that were completed in or around June 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual scars from total knee replacements has been granted, with a 10% disability rating effective as of the date of the decision. The other issues related to effective dates and ratings have been denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder, including entitlement to an initial compensable rating and service connection for keloid scarring. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding his bilateral ingrown toenails and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board denied an increased rating on a schedular basis and found that extraschedular consideration was not warranted.,The effective date for service connection of tinnitus has been set as April 6, 2015, based on the receipt of a formal claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding TDIU. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being sent back for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cervical strain. The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to grant higher ratings for these conditions or to establish new service connection for additional conditions such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic headaches. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and secondary service connection for pain due to scar tissue, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.