Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anterior scar of the right lower leg is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee and left knee disabilities as they have already been granted with appropriate ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for skin cancer, nose and chest scarring post biopsies, and a skin disorder are being reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of metastatic lung cancer with right lower lobectomy residuals and a post-operative back scar due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for abdominal nerve damage and/or painful scars associated with in-service abdominal surgery. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded this case due to issues with the previous decision regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, which was secondary to service-connected gastrointestinal disabilities. The Veteran is advised to provide evidence of military sexual trauma (MST) and in-service psychiatric injury, disease, or symptoms.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for posterior trunk and left knee scars were denied.,A separate 20 percent rating was granted for three painful or unstable scars.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist laceration and its residuals, including any related scars, tendon or muscle issues, and limitations.

The Veteran's right knee replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected right knee scar is not compensable. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pilonidal cyst residual scar, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hypertension was granted with a noncompensable rating effective March 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 1, 2021, for the painful right-hand scar was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to July 1, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260 and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's service-connected right-hand shell fragment wound has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 22, 2007. He was granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD in July 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis. The cases of scarring of the lung, tumor of the left thigh, and hyperthyroidism are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for various hip, elbow, and knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records. The appellant is also asked to provide information about private practitioners who treated her husband prior to his passing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the severity of his eczema, keloid scars on the left upper extremity (LUE), and anterior trunk. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's rating for scars, tender to palpation was reduced from 20% to 0%, effective February 1, 2019. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 20% rating.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues are no longer before the Board.