Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for left thumb disability and scar, as well as initial ratings for these conditions. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right upper chest scar, an earlier effective date prior to September 1, 2020, for service connection of his right upper chest scar, and an increased disability rating for COPD with emphysema prior to September 1, 2020. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for consideration of all evidence, including recent VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot scar, claimed as cellulitis. The other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye conditions, including amblyopia, monocular blindness, exotropia, chorioretinal scar in the macular, optic atrophy, and left eye 3D chorioretinal scar, preexisted service. The evidence does not show that these conditions were aggravated by service. Dry eye syndrome is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hair loss (male pattern baldness), sleep apnea, scar, cyst, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or service connection has not been established.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and remanded two issues related to his lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, and facial scarring due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the RO for review.

The Veteran's right posterior tibial tendinosis and tear, as well as a painful right ankle scar resulting from the surgery, have been granted service connection.,Temporary total disability benefits for post-surgical convalescence following the November 3, 2017 surgery are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment during the appeal period and his disabilities have allowed him to contribute positively through volunteer work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a status post orchiectomy, left congenital undescended testicle, with painful scar, was reopened and granted. The right testicular torsion was also granted. Service connection for a right knee disability and sciatica were denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the May 2023 examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's right eye conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will schedule another examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his activities of daily living.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated based on bronchitis, but he asserts the severity of his rating does not accurately reflect the severity of his symptomology. The Board finds that additional VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder tender scars, surgical scars on the right shoulder, and an effective date earlier than June 28, 2018, for service connection. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess the severity of his disabilities, and giving him the opportunity to provide any additional evidence.

The Veteran's PFB with scarring was granted a 30 percent rating prior to June 23, 2016. From that date onwards, the claim for higher ratings was denied.