Scars Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of shrapnel wounds on the anterior trunk and granted a 40% rating for prostate disorder with stress/urge incontinence, both effective March 9, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated photographs and a comprehensive medical opinion regarding his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's PFB and hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,The residual scarring of pilonidal cystectomy does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his residual scar and depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran's residual scar is currently rated at 30 percent, while the depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to August 2, 2019, and 70 percent thereafter.,A separate compensable rating of 10 percent for a painful scar was granted from May 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of a back brace and Lidocaine (5%) is remanded as there are no associated records from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, scar, right middle finger, third digit, residuals of left stab wounds to the thigh and buttock/ tender scar with limitation of flexion and pain on motion, rhinitis, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II (secondary to high blood pressure), retinopathy, hernia disability, chronic kidney disease (claimed as renal failure), arthritis of the right hand (variously claimed as arthritis of multiple joints), and testicular disability/ epididymitis is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left hand scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there were no three or four unstable or painful scars.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of motion of third and fourth finger, left hand, was also denied. The combined rating for disabilities of an extremity cannot exceed the rating for amputation of that extremity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and a need for updated examinations. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for degenerative changes of the left talus bone and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, thus denying the reopening of the claim. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as an initial compensable rating for a left knee surgical scar, are remanded.

The Veteran's scarring is granted service connection. The digestive disorder, including GERD, due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 12, 2016, for the grant of an increased 80 percent evaluation for posttraumatic absence of the right eyebrow with residual scars and ptosis is denied. The Board found that there was no pending claim as of August 12, 2016, and that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's increase in disability occurred within the one-year period prior to August 12, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2022.

The Board has denied increased ratings for headaches, herniated discs of the lumbar spine, status-post fracture of right ankle, and scar of right ankle as a matter of law due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The mood disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person as he is unable to perform daily activities independently due to his physical impairments.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination for the chorioretinal scar of the left eye. The cases are also being remanded to determine an appropriate disability rating for the sternotomy scar.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his reported symptoms of dizziness, equilibrium problems, and altered gait.

The Veteran's left and right inguinal region hernia scars are painful, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating for the entire period on appeal. The issues of increased ratings for GERD, scars, and left foot disability are remanded. Service connection for unspecified bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left testicle varicocele and left knee scars must be remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and major depressive disorder associated with IVDS, which arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 11, 2019.