Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by his attorney during a hearing.

The Veteran was gainfully employed until June 30, 2014. The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to July 1, 2014 as there were no service-connected disabilities that prevented the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars on his right upper back and left thumb have been rated at 10 percent since March 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected right knee scar, finding that there was no objective evidence of a painful or unstable scar greater than 39 square centimeters.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for various disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if VA followed proper procedures in scheduling his examinations, which could affect the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and initial compensable rating were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for his service-connected scars, as the evidence did not show three or four unstable or painful scars warranting a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernias and scars of the oblique pubis have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,An increased disability rating is required for the Veteran's right knee strain, as his current rating does not account for all functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland and facial scars are related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and peripheral nerve conditions, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their effects on his ability to perform daily functions.

The Veteran's disability rating for pemphigus vulgaris with scarring is being remanded due to the lack of recent treatment records and information on flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, right achilles, is remanded due to procedural issues with the original submission of his NOD.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent for the entire appeal period, and his recurrent abscesses with lichen simplex chronicus and residual scarring are rated at 10 percent prior to March 9, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an esophageal perforation and its residuals, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort, shortness of breath, painful scar, and an acquired psychiatric disorder with insomnia, has been denied because the evidence does not show that additional disability was incurred due to VA's carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded several issues including bilateral hip disability other than arthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea.

An effective date of July 26, 1970, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for left wrist scar has been granted. Effective June 4, 2009, service connection was established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. An effective date prior to June 25, 2010, for the award of service connection for migraine headaches is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms, warranting service connection.,For his residuals, shrapnel to left quadricep, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating as there is no evidence of moderate or more severe impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service.,The Veteran's genitourinary disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.,The Veteran's right wrist CTS is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the November 2022 VA examiner to determine if it is related to service.,PTSD and other specified depressive disorder (hereinafter PTSD) are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,Right leg shin splints are being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine their relationship to service.,Left leg shin splints are being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine their relationship to service.,Allergic rhinitis is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the January 2023 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.,Dermatitis is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the January 2023 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend a VA examination at a closer location and efforts should be made to contact him.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, left wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar, and anterior trunk scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence. The AOJ will review this new evidence and readjudicate his claims.