Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings, as well as an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO.

The Board has remanded the cases of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability and an initial compensable rating for a right shoulder scar due to lack of information on range of motion during flare-ups, as well as the need for another scar examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, central corneal scar of the right eye, lagophthalmos of the upper eyelid of the right eye, and optic neuropathy of the right eye are etiologically related to his in-service traumatic injuries. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The effective date for service connection remains August 20, 2013.

The Veteran's right eye vision loss is deemed a qualifying additional disability resulting from VA medical treatment, and the cause of this disability was an event not reasonably foreseeable. Therefore, the Veteran is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his right eye vision loss.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, right hand, right calf, and right ankle were found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent due to the lack of unstable or painful scars.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of actinic keratosis, bilateral hand and wrist scars, and neck scars have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for OSA is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right eyebrow cysts and left shoulder scar are related to his service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a need for updated medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial disability ratings for service-connected coronary artery disease and residual scars has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his attorney.

The Veteran's appeals for restoration of evaluations for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of whether the reduction in evaluation was proper remains pending.

The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for old well-healed scar on the left knee is granted. The appeals for service connection for left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from December 11, 2013 through June 7, 2021 have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to January 31, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's dental trauma and loss of teeth are not service-connected.,Right deltoid scars were preexisting and did not worsen during service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right lower leg/knee disability and any related leg scars. The case will be remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for abdominal scar, post vagotomy; a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of duodenal ulcer, post vagotomy with irritable bowel syndrome; a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's allergic rhinitis during changing seasons.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective July 2, 2012. Prior to that date, his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a back disability, to include as secondary to or aggravated by service-connected residuals of right inguinal hernia repair. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability that may be related to his service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right forearm burn scar disability, finding that it began during active service.