Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluation for right indirect inguinal hernia and entitlement to a TDIU, as well as service connection for a residual penile scar. The Veteran will need new VA examinations and clarification on certain aspects of his claims.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar, left thigh gunshot wound as secondary to residual shell fragment wound, left thigh, muscle group XIV is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left thigh neuropathy as secondary to residual shell fragment wounds, left thigh, muscle group XIV is also denied.

The Veteran's left knee scar is granted a 10% rating, but no higher. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. An effective date prior to August 11, 2015 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Multiple issues remain unresolved and are being remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from November 9, 2021.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, left ankle arthritis, left ankle scar, and eczema was granted on May 27, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral mastectomy scars are not painful or unstable, and do not result in any functional impairment. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral mastectomy scars is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including a scar from his Achilles tendon surgery, is rated at 20 percent effective November 15, 2019. The Board also granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the scar prior to that date.

The Board has not fully complied with its previous remand instructions and thus the TDIU claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted, and an effective date of March 21, 1995, was established. The left shoulder disability issue is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The left ankle scar issue has been granted with an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal was not perfected in a timely manner, as no valid and timely substantive appeal was received within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's scar residual of excision of parotid tumor does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not exhibit visible or palpable tissue loss, gross distortion, or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features.

The Veteran's lung scarring with calcified pleural plaques required daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication from August 24, 2015 to June 27, 2017. During this period, he did not require at least monthly visits to a physician for care of exacerbations, intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids, or outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shin splints, and hearing loss. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence and development needs.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for left knee instability and a left knee scar, finding that the severance was improper due to CUE.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee chondromalacia remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to potential eligibility for SMC under certain criteria. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated in detail.

The Veteran's service-connected scarring of the abdomen, right ankle, and right knee is granted a 20% evaluation effective September 19, 2012. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for surgical scar, posterior trunk and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for a higher rating for lung carcinoma status post left lower lobectomy was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scarring following shrapnel removal, but denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD and MDD is dismissed as the claim has been granted.,The appeal for service connection for a left eye disorder, other than central retinal artery occlusion, is dismissed as the claim has been granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The initial rating for left eye chorioretinal scars and cataract is granted at 10%, but a higher rating is denied. A separate 10% rating is granted for dry eye syndrome.