Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated as noncompensable before September 8, 2021 and at a 20 percent rating thereafter. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's painful right knee scar and painful right thumb scar, both secondary to their respective service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic recurrent sinusitis has been denied as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eustachian tube dysfunction with otitis media (ear condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with residual scars (knee condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (back condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disability has been remanded as the evidence does not show that her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to work.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the left forearm and left hand (pinky finger) has been denied. The claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of both knees have been remanded.

The Veteran's right eye disability did not result in any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period, and thus a compensable rating for his service-connected right eye scar is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensatory disability ratings for various foot and hand conditions due to outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and initial ratings for his service-connected left index finger scars are being remanded due to the submission of additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa and left knee surgical scar were evaluated, but neither condition met the criteria for a higher evaluation. The hidradenitis suppurativa was not found to be more than 40% of the body or exposed areas affected, nor did it require constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The left knee scars were less than one square inch in total and did not involve underlying soft tissue damage.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims related to various conditions, including right and left ankle sprains, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, blisters on the feet, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sciatica, upper respiratory infection, alopecia, hair implants, DJD of the hip, lumbar spine DDD, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his claims on appeal, including service connection for hearing loss, left and right knee conditions, headaches, initial compensable disability rating for right eye nerve palsy with diplopia and conjunctival scar and left eye dryness, and an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for left eye corneal scar. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran's right eye corneal scar with bilateral dry eye syndrome is granted a 20% rating as of October 1, 2014. The issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including residual scars from basal cell carcinoma excisions, is granted with a direct service connection.,The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the AC joint and glenohumeral joint in his left shoulder is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's scars and their relation to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening claims of service connection for bilateral elbow and shoulder disabilities were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,New and material evidence was received for several conditions, including tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, residual burns of the right leg, and residuals of a right hand/finger disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. Additionally, he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot arthritis, left ankle sprain, and painful surgical scar disabilities cause functional impairments that preclude unassisted balance and propulsion to such degree that the Veteran would be equally well served by use of a suitable prosthetic appliance at the ankle level. As a result, entitlement to loss of use of the left foot at the ankle level is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the scar and right salpingo-oophorectomy was granted, effective May 8, 2013. She requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's visual impairment is related to his service. The VA examiner found that there was no evidence in the Veteran's STRs indicating a connection between his current eye conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scarring in the perianal region, residuals of perirectal abscess surgery, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae scars on the face was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service. The claims for scar of the right hip, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot were granted as they are considered direct service connection cases.,The Veteran's GERD is considered direct service connection.