Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by left hand cold sensitivity, numbness, and circulatory problems as secondary to his already service-connected left wrist median/ulnar nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history for the entire appeal period prior to December 14, 2018.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited range of motion. The Veteran's back surgical scars are noncompensable as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is associated with his back disability and is inextricably intertwined, so it must be addressed along with the back disability issues.

The Board has restored service connection for right shoulder strain and denied it for scar on neck.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 11, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, increased rating for facial scars associated with chronic sinusitis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination. The Veteran is advised to complete and return VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss, depressive disorder with anxiety, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and scar on the head remain remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Headaches are also granted as related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's death was caused by a toxic level of medication, and the Board is remanding to obtain medical records and provide an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities or medications contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left hand injuries, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal herniorrhaphy, hernia repair scar, and lipoma as there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Secondary service connection for the hernia repair scar and lipoma were also denied because there was no established link to any existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his current condition is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected aphonia. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion from an ENT specialist.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's scars are currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to pain. The Board remanded for further clarification on the ratings assigned.,The Veteran's metatarsalgia is rated at 10 percent prior to November 26, 2019, and denied a higher rating thereafter.

Your claims for service connection for colon cancer and scars as secondary to colon cancer have been granted, effective August 10, 2022. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 14, 2011, and December 5, 2011, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's dyspnea and scarring on the left lung are found to be related to service, specifically asbestos exposure during his naval service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for his right eye chorioretinal scar, finding that the evidence did not support granting the higher rating. The current 30 percent rating adequately compensates the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from March 19, 2015, through June 7, 2017.