Scars Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence after the issuance of the October 2016 and April 2017 Statements of the Case. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating claim for a left knee scar, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's service-connected right buttock, right groin, and right hemi scrotum scarring as well as his left knee scar are each granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and right hand scar, but has remanded the claims of service connection for right leg shin splints and left leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left scapula scar tissue has been granted, and his claim for COPD (presumed due to burn pit exposure) is also granted. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the left scapula scar tissue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his entire period of active service is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not rise to the level needed for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture is granted. The claims for left leg/foot disability, right foot disability other than residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture, right arm disability, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected scars residuals of basal cell carcinoma are being remanded for further evaluation and treatment records to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to December 15, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for asthma and scars due to improper filing of a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The claims include right shoulder Bankart repair, lumbar spine spondylosis, sciatic nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residual scar of dorsal column stimulator.

Your initial rating for the scar from your heart valve replacement surgery has been granted at a 10 percent level. The Board found that you have one painful chest scar, which is rated under Diagnostic Code 7804.,The Veteran's right knee disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left wrist disability, and back disability are all remanded for additional VA medical opinions to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on acne scars of various body parts and painful scars have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain updated examinations and assessments of her current disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, malaria, residuals of a left thigh wound, and left thigh scar are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and associated surgical scars was granted effective July 20, 2006. The effective date is based on the date of the bypass surgery.