Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's ratings for a surgical scar and status post right lower lobectomy were restored to their previous levels effective May 1, 2023.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for scar, right wrist residuals of right carpal tunnel release was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, right ankle scar, and knee conditions have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for her right ankle scar.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for Canadian Crutches in 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient explanation of the denial and conflicting evidence regarding use for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.,PTSD has been assigned an initial evaluation of 70 percent, which is not in excess of what is warranted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's left hip replacement has been granted a 50% rating, effective July 1, 2020. The Veteran's left hip scars have also been granted a 10% rating. The appeals for increased ratings for limitation of flexion and adduction of the left hip, as well as right hip replacement, are dismissed due to untimely Notice of Disagreement submissions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a keloid scar of the neck was granted. Service connection for this condition is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues regarding back and right foot disorders due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right foot, right wrist, right knee, back, and hearing loss disorders.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, including bilateral hearing loss, collar bone disabilities, hip disabilities, shoulder impingement syndrome, knee conditions, ankle sprains, foot contusions, and elbow scars.

The Board has remanded two claims for a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia and surgical scar, as additional evidence was added to the record since the January 2020 statement of the case. The Veteran's VA treatment records from November 2022 to the present need to be obtained.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee scars effective August 19, 1997. The Veteran's claim was not earlier than this date as the period for filing a Substantive Appeal had not yet begun to run due to an incorrect mailing address.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, inguinal hernias, rotator cuff injuries, and ankle fractures. The claims are also remanded to determine if new evidence has been received to reopen claims for knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2018 rating decision was not timely perfected, and the Board has waived this issue in order to address the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates and initial ratings related to Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand and associated scars are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right mandible surgical scar was denied because he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination without showing good cause.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective August 10, 2022. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the service-connected prostate cancer alone grants a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and separate ratings for his left hand/finger disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies and right thumb disabilities, including scars.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or on account of being housebound is denied. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for SMC at either the aid and attendance rate or the housebound rate.