Scars decisions — 2023

The case is remanded for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including a rating in excess of 10 percent for a closed fracture of the left medial malleolus with surgical scar, an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for a closed fracture of the left medial malleolus with surgical scar, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for emphysema, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars on the left palm has been denied as his symptoms are fully contemplated by the existing ratings.

Service connection is granted for goiter and its residuals, including a post-surgical scar and hypothyroidism requiring continuous hormone replacement therapy.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his service-connected acne scarring disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder secondary to those conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The effective date of service connection for residual scar status-post TBI is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The remaining claims are remanded and will be reconsidered with additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for cholecystectomy, cataract removal in the left eye, and multiple scars secondary to cholecystectomy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left eye corneal scar is related to an in-service insect sting. The Board has granted service connection for the left eye corneal scar but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left eye condition, other than the corneal scar.

The Veteran's right knee scars are currently rated at noncompensable under DC 7805. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for the Veteran's right knee scars during any point of the appeal period.,The September 2018 VA medical opinion was inadequate as it did not address the secondary service connection claim. A remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, right shoulder disability, and left ankle disability.,No effective date has been assigned as the claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% since March 9, 2009. The Board finds the Veteran may be unemployable due to his knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis and service connection for skin conditions other than carbuncle scars have been denied. The Board found that the current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 13, 2018 is granted for the award of a separate rating for anterior trunk scar. The Veteran's claim was reviewed on the initiative of VA and thus, the effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found but shall not be earlier than the date of increase.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's appendectomy scar is causally connected to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a left rib fracture (other than the left 11th rib) was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,The Veteran is already service connected for a deformity of the left 11th rib. The RO declined to reopen the service connection claim for a left rib fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 4, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an adjustment disorder, right knee and ankle disorders, eczema, bilateral arms, excessive sweating of the hands, a scar on the back of the mouth, and a hypertrophic scar of the right arm. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.