Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pulmonary fibrosis and a residual scar associated with scleroderma with Raynaud’s Phenomenon are being remanded due to the failure of the RO to readjudicate these issues after completing additional development.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with the Board's prior remand instructions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from July 14, 2007 to July 6, 2008. The issues of initial increased ratings for residuals of a head injury with depression and secondary insomnia, fracture and dislocation of the left elbow, and fracture of the left humerus are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for erectile dysfunction, residual scars on bilateral lower extremities, and vascular replacement due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected muscle wound of the right neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent. The ratings for paralysis of the right vocal cords, cervical compression fracture, and anterior neck scarring are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for severance of service connection for pulmonary nodules and left lung base scarring, as well as the claims for liver disease and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure during service are considered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient development of his employment and educational history. Additional information from the Veteran and his employers will be needed to determine if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for subpatellar chondromalacia, right knee with scar due to procedural deficiencies in the November 2020 VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chemical burn and scarring of the eye with decreased vision, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including left elbow disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, memory loss associated with major depressive disorder, peripheral vestibular disability, left knee scar, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chorioretinitis of the left eye and left eye retinal scarring, to include as secondary to chorioretinitis due to an incomplete medical opinion in the July 2018 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted a 10 percent rating, but not higher, for left eye pseudophakia with corneal and conjunctival scarring. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome was remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral inguinal hernia, residual inguinal hernia scars (combined with painful pelvic scars), and PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU from November 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of all left leg pathology, including a left knee scar. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being reviewed.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of April 3, 2002 for a 50 percent rating for service-connected sebaceous cysts of the face and a 20 percent rating for painful scars due to sebaceous cysts. The Board found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development due to incomplete employment history and functional limitations of service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's request for an initial compensable rating for his scar, right foot laceration was denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right-hand laceration scar is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to August 26, 2019 and a rating higher than 10 percent is denied beginning August 26, 2019.,The Veteran's right-hand disability (to include carpal tunnel) is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lung scars, finding that they are at least as likely as not due to radiation treatments for the Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma.