Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed to the June 2015 SOC regarding service connection for multiple conditions. The case is REMANDED for issuance of an SOC and allowing the Veteran to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right hernia scar and residuals were evaluated, with a denial of increased ratings. The current disability rating for the scar is 10% prior to January 28, 2022, and denied thereafter. The residuals are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various rating claims related to his knee, hip, and radiculopathy conditions. The issues were not pursued further as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH). The claim for a special home adaptation (SHA) grant is denied as moot.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined service-connected disability rating does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for his left shoulder conditions have been remanded by the Board.,The Veteran was granted service connection for a scar on his left shoulder status-post arthroscopy in June 2016, but is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of outstanding records. The issues include TDIU, initial evaluations for left index finger conditions, and service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for an umbilical scar has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's PFB is not rated higher than 0 percent.,The Board remanded the issues related to service connection and increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, moderate hemorrhoids, a compensable foreskin laceration scar, or left great toe onychomycosis. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for folliculitis (now characterized as acne), but the claim for service connection and increased ratings for benign prostate hypertrophy were denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 0 percent for a right knee scar has been withdrawn. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his perforated left tympanic membrane and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the right ear drum perforation were both denied.

The Veteran's ankle disability is being remanded due to concerns about the care he received from VA medical professionals, which may have caused or exacerbated his condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The Veteran does not require regulation of activities to manage his diabetes. As for TDIU, the evidence shows that the Veteran has met the schedular criteria but is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, and his asthma has been granted. His abdominal scars, sinusitis, right inguinal hernia, and left inguinal hernia have also been granted increased ratings.,However, the issues of service connection for PFB and increased ratings for chronic asthma, sinusitis, right inguinal hernia, and left inguinal hernia are being remanded due to further development needed.

The Veteran's PFB and related facial scars are granted as service-connected.

The appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

For the period prior to January 9, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. The case is now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastric ulcer and diabetes mellitus type II.,The Board found that there was no ankylosis or instability in the Veteran's left ankle, which precluded a higher rating. The case is now remanded to provide addendum opinions addressing whether any current gastrointestinal disorder and/or diabetes mellitus were proximately caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 20, 2021. However, he was employed as a forklift operator in a protected environment until July 20, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon condition and skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.