Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-scarring residuals resulting from an umbilical hernia repair, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee, and instability of the left knee. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and instability of the right knee are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 30, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot scars, as well as a higher rating for depression prior to June 14, 2006, are being remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and a surgical scar of the lumbar area, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 26, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right wrist, chest shell fragment wounds, and left index finger scar have been denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist disability claims, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and considering any flare-ups. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's cluster headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,For the period prior to January 11, 2022, the Veteran's residual scar of the left ear was rated as noncompensable due to its size and lack of characteristics of disfigurement or other disabling effects. As of January 11, 2022, a rating of 10 percent is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied. His bilateral hearing loss claim is not granted, his left testicular torsion status post bilateral orchiopexies with residual scar claim has an effective date of April 7, 2014, his erectile dysfunction claim has an effective date of August 26, 2016, and his SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted as of that same date. His rating for erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.

Your appeals for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been resolved. You were awarded service connection for these conditions in September and October 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his CAD is denied, but he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 21, 2012 for left great toe neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatica have been denied as the effective date is based on the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, and a lumbar scar received August 31, 2011 have been denied as there are no earlier unaddressed filings or communications that would warrant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for numbness between the 4th and 5th toes of his right foot is denied. For the period prior to October 11, 2017, he was granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. Beginning October 11, 2017, the Veteran's TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for scar, service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to include obtaining a VA examination and readjudication of her claims.

The Board denied service connection for all four claimed disabilities (right shoulder, left knee, right ankle, and scar on the right hand) as there was no persuasive evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and scars of the right cheek and forehead have been granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's OSA, left knee disability, and right knee disability remain under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, emphysema, pleural plaquing, and fibrotic scarring of the lungs with associated decreased lung capacity, are being reviewed.