Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability, including partial blindness due to projectile injury. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or exposure that could be linked to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to lack of anatomical loss of hands or feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral vision loss, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, right neck lesion, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, lumbar spine disability, colon disability with associated abdominal scar, and foot disabilities. The reasons given include lack of evidence showing the conditions were present during or within one year after service, no credible link to service, and failure to show continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right testicular condition and an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected left testicle scar.,There is no current evidence of any other testicular condition, and the existing left testicle scar has been removed. The Veteran does not have a separate service-connected right testicular condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right buttock scar is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be remanded for further examination to determine if his numbness in the right leg and foot is due to the scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various back conditions, including degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and a surgical scar is granted effective from April 22, 2015. The decision also grants service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her scar, residual of c-section, is denied as the area affected does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and hysterectomy are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities were granted service connection and an increased rating. Other conditions, including IBS, bilateral hip disabilities, left knee disabilities, and hypothyroidism, received increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee disability and right knee scar because the Veteran did not attend scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds a predecisional duty to assist error due to the failure to properly notify the Veteran of the examinations.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports readjudicating the claim for service connection for skin cancer residual scars, to include melanoma. However, the Veteran's current condition is not eligible for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act or other provisions. The Board finds that while the Veteran has a current diagnosis of scar status post excision of melanoma, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current disability and in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was no worse than Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,There is only one painful scar of the abdomen, rated at 10 percent under DC 7804. The Veteran does not have two scars that are unstable or painful.

The Veteran's spinal fusion and associated scar are granted service connection as they are directly related to her active duty training.

The Board granted service connection for IVDS with HNP, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and a laminectomy scar, effective from October 8, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors related to incomplete records, including missing STRs and SPRs. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals and service connection for gout of the ankles.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout of the ankles is also being remanded because VA failed to secure an examination and opinion on whether the disability is related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral planter fasciitis, scar left middle finger, and painful scar left middle finger due to potential issues with adequate medical findings in the evidence of record. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings have been remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional information regarding the severity of his left knee disability and hip disabilities, as well as to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,An earlier effective date of August 13, 2017, has been granted for the awards of service connection for acne scars on various body parts.

The Veteran's right knee instability and ACL reconstruction with traumatic arthritis are rated at the maximum available.,The Veteran's left knee instability and ACL reconstruction with traumatic arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.