Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel, and scarring due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore service connection for a fractured rib, finding that the original grant of service connection was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cervical spine disability appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including a mental condition rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 25, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability is remanded. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also raised, but the Board does not have jurisdiction to determine if TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's residuals, amputation, left ear lobe are rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent is granted for a painful scar of the left earlobe from December 16, 2010 to October 26, 2020.,The Veteran's painful scar of the left earlobe is rated at 20 percent for the period from October 27, 2020 onward.

The Board has remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and gastrointestinal disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for scars due to a laparoscopic hysterectomy, finding that the Veteran's two superficial linear scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for right thumb scar is denied. A compensable rating of 10 percent, but not higher than, is granted since November 20, 2020.,The Veteran’s fracture of the right thumb distal phalanx (residuals) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for new evaluation.,TDIU is remanded as it has been reasonably raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence and a need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, scar removal of cyst on buttocks, squamous cell carcinoma, back disability, and epididymitis have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) has also been denied.,However, the claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left tibia scar are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to in-service noise exposure.,The minor opacity of right eye cornea was noted during service and is considered service-connected. The left eye corneal scar, cataracts, and minor opacity of right eye cornea are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for keloid scars and hemorrhoids, and an effective date for cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have become moot.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current eye symptoms are unrelated to any disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent initial rating for his left groin subcutaneous soft tissue mass with scar prior to May 14, 2019. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition after May 14, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his left eye scar status-post subcutaneous soft tissue mass excision prior to May 14, 2019 is granted. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The issues on appeal include evaluations for various knee conditions and scars.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions related to his tonsil and throat cancer, including residual scar, jaw condition, partial tongue resection, lip/mouth condition, and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development, including a VA examination and an etiology opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and military service, particularly exposure to trichlorethylene (TCE).