Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA muscle examination to assess his service-connected scars and their impact on his ability to lift objects.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left shoulder status post cyst excision scar, as well as his claim for a rating increase for sinusitis.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being related to military noise exposure. Service connection was also denied for the left shoulder scar because there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his skin cancer scars and a TDIU, due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right side pilonidal cyst scars is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the length of her scars and consideration of worsening symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the date of onset of pain from the Veteran's bilateral ankle scars associated with his surgeries in 1988 and/or prior to February 22, 2018.

The appeal for a compensable evaluation for surgical scars of the right foot is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right hallux limitus/extensus, status-post bunionectomy, with metatarsalgia and degenerative joint disease of the right first and second metatarsophalangeal joints is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his erectile dysfunction rating is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, originally claimed as lung cancer and scarring of the lungs, has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's right thumb scar and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. However, the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as TBI and memory loss), right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded for further development.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his in-service head injury and whether this condition is associated with memory loss. Additionally, opinions are required regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the lips and chin has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth is remanded due to lack of an SOC addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's recurrent left inguinal hernia and scar and nerve injury from the hernia repair are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hand disability (including residuals of dislocation of both thumbs) are granted as service-connected. The decision is based on the direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge for the period from January 2005 to October 2008 should be remanded, as well as his claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sacroiliac weakness, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg shin splints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hammertoes, bilateral foot disorder, hypertensive heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, maxilla oral surgery scarring, tooth loss and periodontal disease, skin cancer, facial scarring, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran was in receipt of a higher disability compensation rate, preventing the appellant from receiving NSC pension benefits for reimbursement of expenses related to her father's last sickness and burial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA scars and hernia examinations. The examination should assess any functional impairment related to the service-connected scar, including muscle injury or impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the issue is remanded. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse has also been reopened and is being remanded. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, scar, status-post meniscectomy of the left knee is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) disabling. The Board has determined that a 10 percent disability evaluation is warranted for this condition under Diagnostic Code 7804.