Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to depressive disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD, a left leg scar, a head scar, and anxiety disorder. The remand is due to the loss of hearing transcripts and failure to provide notice regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed.,An effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for a fungal infection of the fingers and toes is denied.

The Veteran's residual scalp scar is due to an in-service injury he sustained from being struck in the head with a grenade cannister during basic training. The Board has determined that service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's painful right inguinal hernia repair scar. The remaining issues, including entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional consideration, including a new examination to assess the Veteran's left wrist disability and determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for his service-connected headache disability and left forearm scar residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a forehead scar, but the Board finds that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this disability is related to service.,Service connection has also been granted for migraines. The Board notes that the Veteran's claim was originally denied in 2010 due to lack of medical evidence linking his headaches to service. However, a formal application to reopen and new claims were submitted within one year of an Intent to File received on June 9, 2017.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations in order to determine whether his painful scar, left arm and sleep apnea are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his knee disabilities and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric and respiratory conditions and his military service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder replacement is granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective June 21, 2018. A compensable rating for his left shoulder scar is denied.

The Veteran's right and left foot surgical scars and right hip donor graft scar resulted in three or four unstable or painful scars, warranting a 20 percent evaluation from October 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar is granted a disability rating of 10 percent effective January 9, 2012. The Board found the evidence sufficient to grant this rating based on pain and itching.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the right ankle scar was fixed at July 28, 2016. Other claims are pending.

The Board has denied the initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the left lateral surface of the distal femur and remanded the service connection claim for low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further review of the claims, including those related to effective dates.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and scarring are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.