Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was granted service connection, and the surviving spouse (Appellant) has already been awarded Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. The appeal is dismissed as there are no live issues or claims remaining.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome, fibroid uterus, and laparoscopic scar are all rated at their maximum disability ratings of 20%, 30%, and 0% respectively for the entire review period. The dry eye syndrome is granted a higher rating due to its impact on both eyes, while the fibroid uterus receives a maximum schedular rating based on symptoms not controlled by continuous treatment.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for painful right leg varicosity scarring was not proper, and the 10 percent rating is restored effective February 1, 2021. The compensable ratings for perianal warts, bilateral hearing loss, and separate right leg scars are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed due to the Veteran's representative indicating they wish to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is restored, and the initial compensable evaluation for lip laceration scar as well as a separate rating for painful lip laceration scar are granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's right ear and right head scars, residuals of skin cancer are not rated higher than 10 percent due to lack of visible or palpable tissue loss and characteristics of disfigurement.,The Veteran's right shoulder scar, residuals of skin cancer is not rated more than 0 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's left shoulder scar, residuals of skin cancer is also not rated more than 0 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's esophageal adenocarcinoma with Barret's esophagus and GERD, a painful scar on the posterior right upper back, a scar with soft tissue damage on the posterior right upper back, and a scar on the midline abdomen are all granted effective from April 12, 2017. A 60 percent rating is assigned for the period of appeal.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain with degenerative changes is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The right ankle scars status post lateral stabilization exostectomy are not compensably rated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral pes planus, have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for his painful scar, left knee from February 10, 2020. The reduction in rating was found to be void ab initio due to lack of proper findings and a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted, as new and relevant evidence supports the assertion that her tinnitus began during service due to noise exposure. The Board found in favor of presumptive service connection based on chronicity.,Service connection for vaginal pain with intercourse, secondary to a service-connected transverse lower abdominal scar (residual of cesarean section), was granted as well. The Veteran's condition is considered a residual from her c-section and the associated physical damage.

The appeal challenging the timeliness of the January 10, 2020 HLR request is dismissed as moot. The earlier effective date claims for left knee instability and left knee scar are not before the Board.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis. The Veteran's scar condition is also currently rated as 10 percent.,Both secondary service connection claims for degenerative arthritis and diabetes are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further consideration, including a potential extraschedular evaluation.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for left knee scar, left knee gonoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding SSA records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating for the entire period on appeal. The Veteran is also granted TDIU prior to June 6, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including aphonia with vocal cord damage and left lung status post resection with a residual scar, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from March 1, 2013 to October 29, 2014.

The Veteran's scar on the upper right back was granted service connection, while his claims for tinnitus, periodontal disease, tuberculosis, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, headaches, dementia, and chronic diarrhea were denied. The claim for service connection of bronchiectasis is remanded.