Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for head and face scars needs further examination, as there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being sent back to obtain VA treatment records and schedule an eye impairment examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and limitation of extension, as well as a compensable rating for left thumb avulsion fracture residuals and scar, have been denied. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection for right knee disorder.,Service connection for a right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and other conditions are denied. Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, an initial compensable rating for his left knee scar, and an increased rating for his left knee disability due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking her claimed conditions to active service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship between her service and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including medication, and for special monthly compensation based on a higher need for aid and attendance. The case is being returned to the VA for further examination and analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar above the left eye, finding it related to an in-service motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral arm neuropathy, and respiratory disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was granted for a scar of the left exterior upper lip.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current respiratory disability, hearing loss of the right ear, or right ankle disability. The Veteran also did not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, right index finger metacarpal fracture, left ear hearing loss disability, positive tuberculosis skin test, hypertension, hemorrhoids, scars of the right knee, left ankle, and tailbone, or hidradenitis suppurativa. The Veteran's TBI claim was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available.,Ischemic Heart Disease prior to February 9, 2016, and thereafter are both rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the lower extremities. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at 90 percent combined.

Service connection for skin cancer is granted. Service connection for back condition and left shoulder scarring/disfigurement are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's pilonidal cyst and scars due to incomplete documentation of convalescence periods following surgical procedures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder rotator cuff reconstruction, recurrent enteritis, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is granted as of March 21, 2013. SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also granted as of April 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment since August 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, right thumb infection with arthritis and need for reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, scar associated with right thumb infection, and sleep apnea. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, right thumb infection with arthritis and need for reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, scar associated with right thumb infection, and sleep apnea are all remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent. The Veteran’s painful, tender scar status post removal of ganglion cyst of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 16, 2019 and denied for staged rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. The Veteran's linear scar of the left wrist has a noncompensable rating.