Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability, a compensable rating for his surgical scar, or a rating in excess of 50 percent for his right hip replacement. Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the claimed left-hand disability and whether it is related to service. The initial rating claim for burn scars on the left hand and fingers remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus/ringing in the ears is service-connected and an effective date prior to May 31, 2017, for this condition has been granted.,Issues regarding right knee meniscus strain s/p arthroscopic surgery have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.,Issues regarding surgical scar right knee s/p arthroscopic surgery have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues at a hearing before the Board.,Service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea/loud snoring, migraines, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with amnesia, memory loss, and forgetfulness has also been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for a residual painful scar, status post-appendectomy, is granted at 10 percent. The rating for lower right quadrant abdominal pain (residuals) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal of these issues during a Board hearing. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, but no higher, from December 31, 2013.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his left shoulder scar was denied, and the Board found that there is no evidence of deep or nonlinear scars meeting the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to new evidence being added by the AOJ. The Veteran and his representative have not waived AOJ consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disability and service-connected scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to June 23, 2015 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his unemployability and chronic back pain, the Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions and increased ratings. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lipoma, status post resection with residual scar, upper left back is denied. The case is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's scar is unstable or painful.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for surgical scars associated with right inguinal herniorrhaphy and left knee ACL surgery from February 27, 2018. The issues of service connection for left bicep muscle disability and left pectoral muscle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to May 19, 2017 was denied as he had been employed full-time and earned more than the poverty threshold during this time.

All claims of increased rating and effective date have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in May 2022.

The Board has dismissed the claims for increased ratings for left inguinal hernia scar and tender left inguinal hernia scar. The remaining issues, including service connection for blood clot condition (hypertension and varicocele), erectile dysfunction, and radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities, have been remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist injury residuals, including scar and limitation of motion, is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar is granted an initial 10 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in several areas, including obtaining a supplemental statement of the case for one issue and requesting authorization to obtain medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are also remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim before March 28, 2014 is remanded as there is a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities.