Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a right elbow condition.,His left hand scar is not rated compensably due to lack of disabling effects.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU. The claims are REMANDED to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an extraschedular rating and TDIU claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is now moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for new evaluations. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about her Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent diverticulitis with a resection of the large intestine, abdominal surgical scar secondary to a resection of the large intestine, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and vision disabilities had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and residuals of right knee arthrotomy with a scar due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of relevant evidence. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to issues with obtaining private medical records and concerns about the surgeon's qualifications.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left eye disability prior to September 18, 2023, is denied as the evidence does not show incapacitating episodes or visual impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which is related to his service-connected medial neuropathy of the right hand/carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, nocturnal bruxism, a scar on the right eye following an accident, retinal degeneration, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as bilateral sciatica), and other conditions. The Board found no current disabilities or sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the issue of TDIU from February 17, 2023 is moot due to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder receiving a 100% rating. The claim for TDIU prior to February 17, 2023 is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected unstable scar on his left heel associated with his service-connected left heel ulcer, specifically addressing whether there was an unstable scar or fissure prior to September 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and fibromyalgia have been denied. The Veteran has been granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches, effective August 1, 2014, with no higher ratings allowed.

The Veteran's right eye disability, characterized by severe visual impairment and field defect, is granted a 90% rating prior to May 12, 2023. From May 12, 2023 onwards, the Veteran receives a 100% rating.

The Veteran's insomnia, right eye scar, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) are all found to be related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an earlier effective date of service connection. The initial ratings assigned for various disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand injuries and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 19, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar scar has been granted. The issue of rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus was denied, as the symptoms do not represent an exceptional or unusual case warranting an extraschedular evaluation. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected painful scar, status post right shoulder surgery was also denied due to the presence of only one painful scar and no underlying soft tissue damage.