Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left tibia scar are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to in-service noise exposure.,The minor opacity of right eye cornea was noted during service and is considered service-connected. The left eye corneal scar, cataracts, and minor opacity of right eye cornea are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for keloid scars and hemorrhoids, and an effective date for cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have become moot.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current eye symptoms are unrelated to any disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent initial rating for his left groin subcutaneous soft tissue mass with scar prior to May 14, 2019. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition after May 14, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his left eye scar status-post subcutaneous soft tissue mass excision prior to May 14, 2019 is granted. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The issues on appeal include evaluations for various knee conditions and scars.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions related to his tonsil and throat cancer, including residual scar, jaw condition, partial tongue resection, lip/mouth condition, and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development, including a VA examination and an etiology opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and military service, particularly exposure to trichlorethylene (TCE).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pulmonary fibrosis and a residual scar associated with scleroderma with Raynaud’s Phenomenon are being remanded due to the failure of the RO to readjudicate these issues after completing additional development.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with the Board's prior remand instructions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from July 14, 2007 to July 6, 2008. The issues of initial increased ratings for residuals of a head injury with depression and secondary insomnia, fracture and dislocation of the left elbow, and fracture of the left humerus are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for erectile dysfunction, residual scars on bilateral lower extremities, and vascular replacement due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected muscle wound of the right neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent. The ratings for paralysis of the right vocal cords, cervical compression fracture, and anterior neck scarring are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for severance of service connection for pulmonary nodules and left lung base scarring, as well as the claims for liver disease and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure during service are considered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient development of his employment and educational history. Additional information from the Veteran and his employers will be needed to determine if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for subpatellar chondromalacia, right knee with scar due to procedural deficiencies in the November 2020 VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chemical burn and scarring of the eye with decreased vision, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including left elbow disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, memory loss associated with major depressive disorder, peripheral vestibular disability, left knee scar, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chorioretinitis of the left eye and left eye retinal scarring, to include as secondary to chorioretinitis due to an incomplete medical opinion in the July 2018 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted a 10 percent rating, but not higher, for left eye pseudophakia with corneal and conjunctival scarring. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome was remanded.