Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scar of the cervical spine is not found to have any disabling effects, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a surgical scar status post lumbar decompression L4-S1 is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have been expanded to include psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's scars from umbilical hernia repair and ulnar nerve release are not rated higher than the current levels.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest possible effective dates are March 31, 2016 and April 12, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and also because of his incarceration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a final decision. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one regarding an increased rating for a neoplasm of the kidney and another for a compensable rating prior to November 9, 2022 for a surgical scar on the left posterior back. The remand is due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not by themselves cause him to require aid and assistance in accomplishing the activities of daily living and render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to need for a VA examination and for obtaining outstanding records.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied as the VA treatment did not cause additional disability, and any scrotal scars were a reasonably foreseeable outcome of the treatment provided.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.

The Veteran's service-connected pain in left groin, status post surgery is granted a 10 percent disability rating. Separate noncompensable ratings are granted for erectile dysfunction and an inguinal scar associated with the condition prior to April 28, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including reviewing medical records and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right-hand injuries have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 50% for carpal tunnel syndrome and a separate 10% rating for skin scarring.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from dressing, undressing, bathing, grooming himself without assistance and requires care to protect him from daily hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder scar, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent due to the scar being painful and unstable but not covering an area of at least 39 square centimeters.

The Veteran's right thumb disorder with a residual scar is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD are denied, but the Veteran is granted an initial 70% rating for PTSD from December 23, 2013 to July 20, 2022.

The Board has granted a TDIU from September 27, 2011 to August 7, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.