Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acne, including residual scarring, was incurred in active service and the Board found that it is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye corneal scars, finding that the injury occurred during active service and is related to the current condition.

The appeal for the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back scar, and disorders of the neck and bilateral ankle is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, left hip scar, plantar fasciitis, a bilateral shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a respiratory disorder, and a scar of the right arm due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is entitled to presumptive service connection under the PACT Act for any respiratory condition listed in 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b).

The Veteran's increased evaluation for scarring deformity, duodenal bulb was granted. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine were denied due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a psychiatric examination.

The Board has found that further development is required to obtain outstanding records, including those from the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation program and her TDIU application for the period from May 2003 to October 2008. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right leg BKA from January 16, 2018 to December 18, 2018 is rated at 60 percent. The AKA performed on December 18, 2018, also warrants a separate 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for scars status post squamous cell carcinoma removal (left arm and left hand) and a nose scar status post squamous cell carcinoma removal have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's ratings for a surgical scar and status post right lower lobectomy were restored to their previous levels effective May 1, 2023.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for scar, right wrist residuals of right carpal tunnel release was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, right ankle scar, and knee conditions have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for her right ankle scar.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for Canadian Crutches in 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient explanation of the denial and conflicting evidence regarding use for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.,PTSD has been assigned an initial evaluation of 70 percent, which is not in excess of what is warranted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's left hip replacement has been granted a 50% rating, effective July 1, 2020. The Veteran's left hip scars have also been granted a 10% rating. The appeals for increased ratings for limitation of flexion and adduction of the left hip, as well as right hip replacement, are dismissed due to untimely Notice of Disagreement submissions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a keloid scar of the neck was granted. Service connection for this condition is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues regarding back and right foot disorders due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right foot, right wrist, right knee, back, and hearing loss disorders.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, including bilateral hearing loss, collar bone disabilities, hip disabilities, shoulder impingement syndrome, knee conditions, ankle sprains, foot contusions, and elbow scars.