Scars Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 19, 2014, due to his service-connected disabilities.,Basic eligibility for Chapter 35 DEA benefits was also granted effective February 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his evaluation for a painful, unstable, and non-healing left forehead scar from 20% to 10% was dismissed as he requested withdrawal of this issue during the hearing. The appeals for restoration of ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 1, 2021 for the awards of a TDIU, establishment of basic eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, and SMC based on housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable evaluation for scar, fibrosis of the left cheek above the upper lip. The remaining issues have been remanded: right knee disability, prostate disability (including prostatitis (BPH), chronic epididymitis, urinary dysfunction), chronic sinusitis (including allergic rhinitis), and chronic bronchitis (including asthma).

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for menthol/M-salicylate topical cream and capsaicin cream is denied as there is no service-connected skin condition, and the creams do not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluations for left hip scars is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in evaluating both service-connected scars.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ankle scars, and this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for scar, right upper extremity is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the submission of private treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's painful scars are currently rated at 10 percent from December 27, 2018, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his right inner thigh scar prior to August 8, 2023, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7801 or DC 7802.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issues on the appeal, including a VA examination for TBI and contemporaneous examinations for other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left eye disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left cheek lichen simplex chronicus and left cheek scar due to newly associated VA treatment records. The AOJ must consider all new evidence since the December 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to an outdated VA examination and a need for a retrospective medical evaluation. The AOJ is instructed to obtain such information.

The Veteran's left middle finger scar and disability were previously denied, but the Board has determined that a compensable rating is warranted for the scar from July 8, 2023. The disability remains in dispute.,From July 8, 2023, the Veteran's service-connected left middle finger disability (arthritis) warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia disorder), lumbosacral strain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, leftward septal deviation, nose and neck scars, and urinary disability (manifested by increased frequency).,The Board found the evidence to be approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for a heart disorder and scar has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.