Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's scar on his left dorsal wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to its pain and hypersensitivity.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his right foot status post neuroma excision with residual scar, metatarsalgia, and claw foot (pes cavus) has been granted at a 20 percent level.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple new and material evidence-based claims that require additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial request for a compensable rating for her right wrist scar from August 1, 2014 to October 16, 2018 was denied. From October 17, 2018, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for her painful right wrist scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a supplemental VA opinion. The Veteran's claim is related to complications from urodynamics performed at the VA Medical Center on March 2, 2015.

The Veteran's right wrist arthritis and scar have been continuously rated at 10 percent since the appellate period began, with no higher ratings granted.,There is currently no evidence of ankylosis in the right wrist, which would allow for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including new VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his left eye scar, as August 29, 2011 is considered the earliest available effective date.,The reduction of the Veteran's left knee rating from 50% to 30% was found proper based on improvement in his condition since October 27, 2016 when he underwent total knee replacement.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated as noncompensable before September 8, 2021 and at a 20 percent rating thereafter. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's painful right knee scar and painful right thumb scar, both secondary to their respective service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic recurrent sinusitis has been denied as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eustachian tube dysfunction with otitis media (ear condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with residual scars (knee condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (back condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disability has been remanded as the evidence does not show that her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to work.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the left forearm and left hand (pinky finger) has been denied. The claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of both knees have been remanded.

The Veteran's right eye disability did not result in any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period, and thus a compensable rating for his service-connected right eye scar is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensatory disability ratings for various foot and hand conditions due to outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and initial ratings for his service-connected left index finger scars are being remanded due to the submission of additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa and left knee surgical scar were evaluated, but neither condition met the criteria for a higher evaluation. The hidradenitis suppurativa was not found to be more than 40% of the body or exposed areas affected, nor did it require constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The left knee scars were less than one square inch in total and did not involve underlying soft tissue damage.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims related to various conditions, including right and left ankle sprains, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, blisters on the feet, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sciatica, upper respiratory infection, alopecia, hair implants, DJD of the hip, lumbar spine DDD, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his claims on appeal, including service connection for hearing loss, left and right knee conditions, headaches, initial compensable disability rating for right eye nerve palsy with diplopia and conjunctival scar and left eye dryness, and an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for left eye corneal scar. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran's right eye corneal scar with bilateral dry eye syndrome is granted a 20% rating as of October 1, 2014. The issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including residual scars from basal cell carcinoma excisions, is granted with a direct service connection.,The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the AC joint and glenohumeral joint in his left shoulder is also granted.