Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's status post bilateral orchiopexy with residual pain and surgical scar, mid scrotum are rated at a 20 percent rating. The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's athlete's foot is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's migraines, to include as secondary to tinnitus, are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's back pain is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's pain and limited use of the jaw is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's eye pain and scars status post surgical repair are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's plates in the entire face status post facial surgeries are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's scars of the face and head are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's type I diabetes is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the initial evaluation for a surgical scar of the lumbar area prior to January 26, 2013, has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and rating of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, left leg sciatica, and scar tissue. The effective date claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's urethra disorder was caused or made worse by changes in his lubricant prescription and/or treatment.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for right wrist DJD and remanded other service connection claims due to new evidence or changes in circumstances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from engaging in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity and functional impact on his employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to November 19, 2013, and a rating in excess of 60 percent from April 24, 2018, for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The issue of service connection for skin cancer with scars is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability, a compensable rating for his surgical scar, or a rating in excess of 50 percent for his right hip replacement. Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the claimed left-hand disability and whether it is related to service. The initial rating claim for burn scars on the left hand and fingers remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus/ringing in the ears is service-connected and an effective date prior to May 31, 2017, for this condition has been granted.,Issues regarding right knee meniscus strain s/p arthroscopic surgery have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.,Issues regarding surgical scar right knee s/p arthroscopic surgery have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues at a hearing before the Board.,Service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea/loud snoring, migraines, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with amnesia, memory loss, and forgetfulness has also been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for a residual painful scar, status post-appendectomy, is granted at 10 percent. The rating for lower right quadrant abdominal pain (residuals) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal of these issues during a Board hearing. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, but no higher, from December 31, 2013.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his left shoulder scar was denied, and the Board found that there is no evidence of deep or nonlinear scars meeting the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to new evidence being added by the AOJ. The Veteran and his representative have not waived AOJ consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disability and service-connected scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to June 23, 2015 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his unemployability and chronic back pain, the Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions and increased ratings. The appeal is dismissed.