Scars decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the remaining claims on appeal, including a new opinion regarding the Veteran's topical treatment with corticosteroid Clobetasol and Tacrolimus.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, specifically dermatitis with scars and chronic pilonidal cyst scar, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell lung cancer in remission and right chest scars were denied as there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 14, 2018.,Effective dates earlier than August 14, 2018 are not warranted due to the lack of a pending claim at that time.

The Veteran's facial scars are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Left ear hearing loss is not compensable, with the nonservice-connected right ear considered to be Level I.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been granted, with a 50% rating for post-prosthetic replacement of the left shoulder joint effective September 3, 2015; a 10% rating for painful surgical scars of the left shoulder; and a 30% rating for adjustment disorder, chronic sleep impairment, and sexual dysfunction due to shoulder pain. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected postoperative residuals of recurrent ingrown nail in both great toes, as well as his employment status.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for a forehead scar and certificate of eligibility for special home adaptation have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 6, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, left thumb laceration residuals, and other lower extremity disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims and requests for compensable ratings for his service-connected scars and migraines.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for eye and sinus conditions due to incomplete development of evidence. The case will be returned to ensure compliance with prior instructions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was denied. The Board found no evidence of a right arm disability during the period on appeal, thus denying service connection.,For his scar condition, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there were no disabling effects other than limited motion with overhead activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for right shoulder scars and left knee scar, as well as service connection for a bilateral eye disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran needs to be afforded VA examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities and their etiology.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the right foot disability, but granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected right foot scars. The decision is based on the current state of evidence and does not address any specific conditions or exposure basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion and need for a new examination.

The Board has decided that the December 2021 rating decision did not properly address the issue of attorney fees based on past-due benefits, and thus requires a remand to correct this procedural error.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 13, 2020, was dismissed as moot because he had a 100% rating for asbestosis and no other service-connected disabilities at that time.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before a hearing could be held.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of skin cancer excision scars, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple noncompensable disabilities are dismissed. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension, as well as his claims for arthritis of various joints.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, left forearm scar, cervical spine strain, and left ankle sprain due to incomplete opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset of his disabilities are not credible.