Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for scars on various parts of his body, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the claimed stressor.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals on multiple issues, including service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to these withdrawals.

The Veteran's corneal scar is granted as secondary to his service-connected herpes simplex keratitis of the right eye. The issues regarding the rating for herpes simplex keratitis and residuals of a right thumb fracture are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and benefits have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for skin disability. The remaining conditions have been granted based on their direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, a cardiac disorder other than hypertension, and an eye disorder due to potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from March 29, 2010 to May 6, 2014. The low back scar is also rated at 10 percent since May 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety), sarcoidosis, squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the head and neck), residuals of a tonsillectomy, scar status post thoracotomy, right ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability due to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40% to 0% was not proper, and the 40% rating is restored.,The reduction of the rating for right knee instability from 10% to 0% was not proper, and the 10% rating is restored.,The reduction of the rating for painful left calf scar from 10% to 0% was not proper.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar, residuals of left breast mass excision is granted. The Board found that the current disability (scar) was caused by her in-service left breast mass excision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left eye injury is dismissed because the condition has already been granted. The Board also remanded the issue regarding the reduction in rating for the consequent scar on the left side of his face near the eye.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle sprain, left ankle talo-fibular ligament tear, painful bilateral ankle scars, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, labral tear and sub-acromial and sub-deltoid bursitis associated with right ankle sprain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for old corneal scar, vitreous floaters, and dry eye syndrome (claimed as eye condition) was denied in previous decisions. The effective date of the award is set at July 20, 2018.

The Veteran's orchitis and residual tender scar have been granted a compensable disability rating, but the increase rating for the residual tender scar and denial of the right upper scrotum scar remain.

The Veteran's right leg surgical scar has been granted a 10% disability rating for the entire initial rating period on appeal.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted for the entire rating period prior to January 4, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to issue an SOC on the increased rating for right wrist disability, and the Veteran was not provided with information about her hearing rights.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been granted a 50% initial rating since March 15, 2021.,A 30% initial rating was granted for the same conditions from June 28, 2008 to March 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the left knee osteoarthritis is related to a service-connected wound from active duty.