Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right nostril scar and right maxillary area scar were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of disfigurement, gross distortion, or asymmetry.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no persuasive weight of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at a maximum of 50 percent, and he has been granted TDIU. The Board also found that the Veteran's muscular weakness in his left elbow warrants a separate compensable rating, and higher ratings for his left knee scar residuals are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a neurological examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment prior to November 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted by the RO in September 2019, and this appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including those related to a gunshot wound, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 23, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the severity of the Veteran's restless leg syndrome and to obtain a sleep study. The right forearm scar remains rated at 10 percent, but the rating for restless leg syndrome is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CAD has been granted, as well as his claims for chronic musculoskeletal chest pain and a chest scar both secondary to CAD. The Veteran's sleep disorder is not related to his service-connected CAD.,Service connection for CAD was established due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's chronic musculoskeletal chest pain and chest scar are also linked to his service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scars of the head, face, or neck has been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior rating decision. The Board will consider new evidence from Tricare records and seek an opinion on the etiology of his scars.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent, and there is no evidence of active malignancy or renal dysfunction. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Erectile dysfunction is already rated at its maximum of 0 percent, with no additional impairment found. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Hypertension is currently rated at the minimum available rating of 10 percent and there is no evidence of diastolic or systolic pressures meeting the thresholds required for higher ratings under Code 7101. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's prostatectomy scar, which developed into a keloid, is rated at its minimum available rating of 0 percent due to its small size (4 square centimeters). The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Specifically, new examinations are needed to evaluate the severity of his diaphragm paralysis and disfigurement, and an opinion is required regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service connection for CAD/ischemic heart/bypass, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, scar measuring 38.0 x 0.1cm, diabetic nephropathy, and major depressive disorder has been granted effective October 8, 2016.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for venereal disease, herpes, oral and genitals with scars, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 25, 2012, for service connection of a low back scar is granted. The claims for the addition of the Veteran's children as dependents are also granted with effective dates of October 31, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service connection claims for low back and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the service-connected right knee scars from October 21, 2011 to April 3, 2013 was denied. An initial 20 percent rating and no higher for the service-connected right knee scars from April 3, 2013 to December 20, 2016 was granted. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the service-connected right knee scars from December 20, 2016 to April 1, 2020 was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2020.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted. Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder is also granted, with an effective date of October 2018. The issues regarding effective dates for other service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a left thumb scar, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and gastroenteritis require additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for examinations.