Scars Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for depression, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and headaches. The appeal regarding the issue of service connection for headaches was dismissed due to a procedural defect. Colon cancer, status post colectomy as secondary to colon cancer, and abdominal scar status post colectomy were remanded for initial AOJ consideration.

The Board remands the matters of an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoid and service connection for a scar, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability due to inadequate VA examination and missing medical records.

The Board readjudicated the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disability, and a skin disability based on new and relevant evidence. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep impairment, hypertension, impaired vision, residual disability from vasectomy, and a compensable rating for scars were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for a right wrist disability, painful scars of the left ring finger and right wrist, right wrist scar, left ring finger scar, and left ring finger disability, status post ganglion cyst removal.

The Board granted service connection for facial scarring and remanded the claims for a left knee condition and a left foot condition.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids and scarring to correct pre-decisional errors in the AOJ's efforts to fulfill its duty to assist the appellant with the development of her claims.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of left hand cyst removal, and left hand scarring status post cyst removal. The claim for painful joints was dismissed as moot.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS, a scar associated with it, and dismissed claims for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities as there was no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's scars on right upper extremity and facial scars, but granted an earlier effective date of June 7, 2022, for a painful facial scar.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, along with other disabilities, have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantial and gainful employment, warranting an award of extraschedular TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective February 17, 2022.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of December 12, 2023, for the 60 percent evaluation of prostate cancer status post robotic assisted radical retropubic with residual voiding dysfunction. The claims for earlier effective dates for a painful prostatectomy scar and sleep apnea with pleural plaques were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, residuals of a left orbital bone fracture, scar from hernia surgery - painful, and residuals of hernia surgery/scars.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, a left shoulder disability, a right wrist burn, head scars, as well as other conditions that were remanded.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected sinusitis for the entire appellate period prior to April 5, 2021, and denied an increased rating for the lumbar spine disorder. The other claims were remanded.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 14, 2016, and remanded issues related to the left knee instability and special monthly compensation.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and neck scar due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals, upper and trunk scars but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a higher initial disability rating for a scalp scar due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.