Scars Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of service-connected scars from electrocution on the right palm, right thumb, and left palm as the Veteran withdrew his appeals before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PFB, residuals of a right great toe injury, and residual scar of the right great toe were denied. The Board found that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder scar and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The appeal for service connection for a left foot great toenail disorder is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. The issues of service connection for chronic allergies, initial compensable disability rating for epidermal cysts of the back with residual scars prior to April 8, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of death (April 11, 2012).

The Board has granted a TDIU from December 29, 2014. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot traumatic arthritis is remanded due to the need for addendum opinions regarding the nature and current level of severity of his left foot disability.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's scars on his left shoulder and anterior trunk, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability, hemorrhoids, callous right foot, and other conditions have been granted. The initial ratings for some conditions were also granted or denied as per the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances in 2015 for use of left and right knee braces, as well as for topical medication (Ketoconazole cream) used to treat his umbilical hernia repair scar. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these items cause irreparable damage to the Veteran's outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, severe burn injury, ALS. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable evaluations of scars and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the left arm (secondary to service-connected scars), arthritis of the left hand, arthritis of the left upper thigh, and arthritis of the right leg have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinea disorder aggravated his appendectomy scar. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran had a diagnosis of scarlet fever at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee Osgood-Schlatter's Disease, unspecified depressive disorder, and right hand long finger Dupuytren's nodule have been dismissed. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her TBI, facial scars, pain, sinus problems, and broken nose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone cause him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for left eye disorder, scars, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding which eye was injured in service and whether there is a nexus between the current right eye conditions and that injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment prior to January 4, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new complaints and the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's back condition, hernia condition, and abdominal scar are remanded as there are missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination.