Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right temporomandibular joint disorder, left sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his functional limitations.

An effective date of October 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Substantive Appeal was timely filed, allowing him to continue pursuing his claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for tinnitus, left knee surgical scar, bilateral hearing loss, and right knee tendonitis need to be remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination of the current and historical severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle scar, which may be painful, unstable, or cause functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings higher than 10 percent each for right and left knee strain require additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's dental condition for treatment purposes is being remanded due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for the skin disability remains denied as there are no compensable conditions found. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms warrant an increased rating.,The claim for left arm scars is inextricably intertwined with the skin disability claim and will also be remanded.,PTSD and depression claims remain pending due to insufficient evidence of service connection or exposure to Gulf War toxins.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms meet criteria for a diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's scar, status post left breast biopsy, is granted a 10 percent rating beginning January 6, 2020. The Veteran's prior requests for higher ratings are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and breast tumors are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his service-connected right ankle scar and its instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of facial feeling, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right eyebrow scar, and an initial compensable rating for a nasal fracture. The Board found that there was no current disability associated with these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's representative withdrew all pending disability compensation claims and appeals, including those related to various conditions such as posterior fossa tumor ependymoma, left wrist neuropathy, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, depressive disorder (combined with neurocognitive disorder), light-headedness, dizziness and/or vertigo, headaches, ankle sprains, scars of the head, cognitive disorder, voiding dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board denied service connection for a left side colostomy scar and stomach scar, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the scars or TDIU to active service.

The Veteran's right femoral artery scar is not painful, measures less than 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.), and does not limit function.,The Veteran's right thigh muscle injury has manifested as a painful, slight injury.

Service connection for residuals of a right donor nephrectomy, including a scar, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) have been granted.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including effective dates for ratings and entitlements. The case is returned to the RO for further development of missing records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disturbance, to include sleep apnea, and an increased rating for GERD due to new evidence received within one year of the September 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and right foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 23, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective that date.

The Veteran's right knee scars and degenerative joint disease are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to April 15, 2019. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for both the left and right knee scars. However, the claim is remanded due to insufficient information provided in the January 2017 VA examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia repair. The appeal is currently pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.