Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected surgical scar, tenderness of the surgical scar as secondary to prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal for a compensable disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this requirement as of March 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for stomach scars and leg scars have been dismissed. The claim for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent after January 30, 2017, for his residual scar status post left varicocele ligation was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision on these issues at this time because there are outstanding treatment records not currently associated with the claims file that may be pertinent to the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and surgical scar, L5-S1 fusion do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 9, 2019. The Board found that his other nonservice-connected physical disorders contributed to his retirement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for medical examinations to determine the nature, onset and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PFB and forehead laceration scars were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease (recharacterized) is rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2014. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of service-connected scars from electrocution on the right palm, right thumb, and left palm as the Veteran withdrew his appeals before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PFB, residuals of a right great toe injury, and residual scar of the right great toe were denied. The Board found that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder scar and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The appeal for service connection for a left foot great toenail disorder is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. The issues of service connection for chronic allergies, initial compensable disability rating for epidermal cysts of the back with residual scars prior to April 8, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of death (April 11, 2012).

The Board has granted a TDIU from December 29, 2014. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot traumatic arthritis is remanded due to the need for addendum opinions regarding the nature and current level of severity of his left foot disability.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's scars on his left shoulder and anterior trunk, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability, hemorrhoids, callous right foot, and other conditions have been granted. The initial ratings for some conditions were also granted or denied as per the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances in 2015 for use of left and right knee braces, as well as for topical medication (Ketoconazole cream) used to treat his umbilical hernia repair scar. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these items cause irreparable damage to the Veteran's outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, severe burn injury, ALS. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable evaluations of scars and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the left arm (secondary to service-connected scars), arthritis of the left hand, arthritis of the left upper thigh, and arthritis of the right leg have been reopened.