Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a verified stressor event. The right inguinal hernia surgical scar received a non-compensable rating from November 8, 2016 to June 17, 2022 and is currently being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar have been granted service connection. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hernia scar is not rated as compensable, but his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been established based on in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to the examiner's finding that it was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the head and nose, scarring of the head and nose, and TDIU due to issues with previous VA examinations/opinions. The case is being returned for new addendum opinions from a dermatologist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, left eye scar, and a compensable rating for right hand 4th digit scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for TBI with focal injury and service connection for residual scars of the head has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for broken ribs residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current disability related to the ribs.,Service connection was granted for scars of the trachea and chest, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and SMC based on loss of use of the left foot was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for actual loss of use of the foot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not meet the criteria for higher staged initial ratings.,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher staged initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected constrictive bronchiolitis and leishmaniasis, residual scars of left arm, thorax, and left hip (scars) are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral inguinal hernia repair was dismissed as the Veteran explicitly requested withdrawal.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was also dismissed as the Veteran and his representative withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, including migraine variants and tension headaches, was denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to his service-connected PTSD with MDD.,Claims for increased ratings for scars on both knees were also denied due to lack of evidence showing they meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected disabilities, including right leg varicose veins, PTSD, left knee meniscal tear, and postoperative left knee scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 9, 2013 for service-connected coronary artery disease and scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft. The decision states that the earliest effective dates were one year after the initial claim was received.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases in the decision, and additional development is needed. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit a completed VA Form 21-8940 and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient examination that did not adequately account for the Veteran's reports of right leg pain causing him to adjust his walking, which placed pressure on his hip. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right thigh injury other than the service-connected soft tissue defect.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings is being remanded to obtain additional examinations and evaluations regarding his cervical spine disability, including any associated neurological conditions.,Separate ratings are also needed for any associated bilateral lower extremity (BLE) neurological disorder secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the reduction of his disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper, and restored the original 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.