Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied. His bilateral hearing loss claim is not granted, his left testicular torsion status post bilateral orchiopexies with residual scar claim has an effective date of April 7, 2014, his erectile dysfunction claim has an effective date of August 26, 2016, and his SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted as of that same date. His rating for erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.

Your appeals for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been resolved. You were awarded service connection for these conditions in September and October 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his CAD is denied, but he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 21, 2012 for left great toe neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatica have been denied as the effective date is based on the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, and a lumbar scar received August 31, 2011 have been denied as there are no earlier unaddressed filings or communications that would warrant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for numbness between the 4th and 5th toes of his right foot is denied. For the period prior to October 11, 2017, he was granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. Beginning October 11, 2017, the Veteran's TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for scar, service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to include obtaining a VA examination and readjudication of her claims.

The Board denied service connection for all four claimed disabilities (right shoulder, left knee, right ankle, and scar on the right hand) as there was no persuasive evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and scars of the right cheek and forehead have been granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's OSA, left knee disability, and right knee disability remain under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, emphysema, pleural plaquing, and fibrotic scarring of the lungs with associated decreased lung capacity, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral eye disabilities has been established, making the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 moot.

The Veteran's claims for scars are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected scars, particularly regarding limitation of motion or function of his right arm/shoulder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete information or development needed.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 11, 2022, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury, including bipolar disorder and scar residuals, was denied. The claims for COPD, bilateral eye disorder, and hepatitis B were also denied.

The Veteran's scar from a pilonidal cyst surgery pre-existed service and was not aggravated during service. He does not have a current disability of the lumbar spine, so his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2009. The Board finds the evidence is in balance regarding this issue and grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his other nonservice-connected disabilities and limitations. The Board finds that he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss, left ear is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder and increased ratings for residual head scarring and painful scar are remanded.