Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, left ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral eye disabilities, hemorrhoids, scar, skin disability, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations were cancelled because the Veteran missed them. The Board finds that medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran’s claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected generalized arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition, as it is considered secondary to his service-connected generalized arthralgias. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected esophagitis with hiatal hernia is also denied.,The Veteran's neck disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's neck scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's left arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's low back scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right leg disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder separate and distinct from service-connected generalized arthralgia is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual surgical scar associated with coronary artery disease is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left inguinal pain is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to April 14, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter (but excluding from August 7, 2018 to September 30, 2018) for service-connected inguinal hernia repair right side is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent for residuals of stab wounds to the right dominant upper extremity and a separate 10 percent evaluation for a tender scar on the right upper extremity. The Veteran also receives a TDIU and special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for bilateral plantar calluses and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's scar from inguinal hernia surgery is granted a 10 percent disability rating, as it causes pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational background, thus TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 29, 2007 and remanded the SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left knee scar and disability are being remanded for further development, including review of additional medical evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including semilunar cartilage condition, limitation of extension, and instability, is rated at a combined 60 percent from May 25, 2010. A TDIU is granted effective January 31, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records and a need for an updated medical examination.

The Board has withdrawn several issues from the Veteran's appeal, including those related to loss of smell, taste, chloracne, psychiatric disability (PTSD), respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and burn scars of the hands. The remaining issues have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for TBI residuals, shell fragment wound scar, lung disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The claim for service connection is also remanded as the relationship between his disabilities and service needs further clarification.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Issues include prostate cancer, lung cancer, non-linear and linear surgical scars related to lung cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to secure and maintain employment in the past.

The Veteran's acne disorder and right wrist scar are being remanded for further evaluation as the current severity of her conditions may not accurately reflect in the records.

The Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia repair and associated scar have worsened since his last VA examination, necessitating a new evaluation to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of sinusitis, right shoulder condition, alopecia, and sleep disorder to include sleep apnea have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant during his April 2019 hearing. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of a Statement of the Case for the remaining issues. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for clostridium difficile, latent tuberculosis, tinea pedis, and otitis media, but his requests for higher ratings are denied.