Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scar of the mid-lower lip is rated at 10 percent, and his mandible fracture is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for both conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent. He seeks a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA medical opinion to address his right leg scar and right leg condition, as well as his PTSD. The claims are being returned due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions cause or aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left ear scar and cystic acne of the face and head prior to February 3, 2013 are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of migraine headache disorder is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his symptoms worsened prior to September 26, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residual scars from right knee diagnostic arthroscopy with fat pad excision is denied as the earliest date factually ascertainable is July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his painful midline sternum scar due to coronary artery disease was denied. The scar is rated at 10 percent, effective July 20, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left lower extremity surgical scar associated with coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the dorsum of his right hand was denied.,An initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for a scar of the left upper lip area with dysesthesia was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to multiple conditions including dermatophytosis, post-traumatic headaches, painful scar, traumatic brain injury, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and instability of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination for the right hand scar. The chronic eye disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a battery explosion during service and the current eye disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from October 17, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination, and she needs a new VA medical examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected residual scar from bilateral ovarian cyst removal.

The Veteran's claims for PFB and scars from lacerations are remanded due to outdated VA examinations, and the need for a new examination. The issue of an earlier effective date for the scar disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, abscess, colovaginal fistula, status post laparoscopic sigmoidectomy structural disease, with residuals of epigastric pain, irritable bowel disease (IBS) and scar, are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right arm scar is being remanded due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's statements and the findings from previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his symptoms, including pain and possible nerve damage.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not clearly identify the specific issues he wanted to appeal in his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render them unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 14, 2016 for the grant of service connection for a surgical scar was denied. The Board found that entitlement to secondary service connection for a surgical scar could not arise prior to the award of service connection for the primary disability of a neck disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a surgical scar, status post cervical fusion was denied. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent rating, but not higher, for left hand cubital tunnel syndrome was granted. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis changes, cervical spine was denied. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a separate 40 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was denied. The effective date assigned is not applicable as hypertension does not have an effective date.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the reduction of ratings for left forehead scar and TBI residuals. The reasons are that VA treatment records from September 2015 onwards, as well as SSA disability award records, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for constipation and circulatory issues were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Her claim for PTSD (with major depressive disorder) was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective February 20, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal (GI) disability, to include diverticulitis and a scar as secondary to diverticulitis. The evidence supports the award of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for further adjudication due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye corneal scar and the need for additional examination.