Scars decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain relevant records from SSA and conduct VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear scarring and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss due to additional evidence and procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for epididymitis, testicular scars, and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received after the last VA examination in September 2018. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, lower right back scar, lupus, left elbow tendonitis, right elbow tendonitis, spine condition, and neck condition are all denied. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for lupus requires further investigation as private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 18, 2019 and service connection for perforated ear drum, ear scarring, running ear, and chronic otitis media. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his umbilical hernia and associated surgical scar due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will conduct further examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from January 1, 2017, but not earlier.,For the period from May 8, 2013, to December 31, 2016, the Veteran's employment did not meet the criteria for TDIU as his income exceeded the poverty threshold.

The Veteran's bilateral hand scars are related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 10, 2018, due to service-connected depressive disorder. He also qualified for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for amputation of left 5th toe and scar on left toe, status-post amputation of left 5th toe due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. A VA examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period prior to June 1, 2015, excluding periods of temporary total ratings for his right knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right thumb disability and a right thumb scar. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the RO did not substantially comply with the remand instructions and has therefore ordered further examination of the Veteran's low back, bilateral lower extremity radicular, and surgical scar disabilities.

The Board has vacated its January 2022 decision, which denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity nerves. The issues of increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are remanded. A compensable rating for a surgical scar on the back is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for painful and unstable lip/ear scars related to Basal Cell Carcinoma removal is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for disfigurement caused by the same scars is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff and labral tear, as well as scars on the left shoulder. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's abdominal cramps, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and scars from hernia surgery are being remanded for further development as requested by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.