Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral shoulder scars due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and ovarian cyst removal have been re-evaluated due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the July 2020 rating decision. The appeal is being remanded for further clarification and an examination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. However, the Board denied TDIU for the period January 1, 2017 to May 16, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted, and his claim for an increased rating for a scalp scar is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for postoperative residuals of a left inguinal hernia and consequent surgical scar, as well as a higher rating for consequent painful scar due to deficiencies in the September 2022 VA opinion. The claims are being remanded again to obtain a supplemental VA medical opinion from a physician concerning neurological manifestations associated with the Veteran's left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including status post reconstruction and degenerative disease, is rated at 20 percent for flexion limitation since January 15, 2019.,An effective date of October 11, 2012, has been granted for the increased rating of 20 percent for left knee status post reconstruction limitation of flexion.,The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated at 10 percent since November 13, 2017.,A separate 10 percent evaluation has been assigned for left knee extension limitation from November 13, 2017.,Left knee instability is separately evaluated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.,Left knee genu recurvatum is rated at 10 percent beginning December 21, 2021.,Painful left knee scars are rated at 10 percent.,An initial compensable rating of zero percent has been assigned for superficial left knee scars since December 21, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective November 8, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the award of an effective date prior to April 16, 2017, for the award of service connection for a lumbar area scar rated noncompensable (0 percent).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a miscarriage and female infertility, both related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA medical opinions found no causal link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The effective date of the awards was set at September 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his left forearm scar and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing all issues on appeal.

An earlier effective date of January 29, 2015 for service connection for the right cheek scar is granted.,An earlier effective date of January 29, 2015 for a 20 percent rating for the left clavicle disability is granted.

The Veteran's headaches and related disabilities were found to meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective April 4, 1986. DEA benefits were also granted as of that date.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. However, the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for service connection on issues related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, left knee disorder, left thumb scar, and joint pain.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development and consideration.,Issues include scars of the left abdomen, scar of the posterior trunk (back), residuals status post gunshot wound to the abdomen, residuals status post gunshot wound to the lower back, PTSD, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

Your appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher level of SMC based on need for aid and attendance, as he is already receiving SMC at the (l) rate.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection and effective dates, including those related to spondyloarthritis with spondylolisthesis, lumbar strain, posterior central disk protrusion and cauda equina compression, as well as various radiculopathy conditions. The Veteran's complete VA treatment records prior to January 2002 are requested for review.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations addressing the nature and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right thumb fracture and scar have been rated based on their specific manifestations under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.,TDIU was remanded due to its interdependence with other issues in this case.