Scars Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of informed consent documentation for cryotherapy procedures performed on the Veteran's finger, which may have led to additional disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in both cases, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne with scarring (face) is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for alopecia and rear head scar, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the adjudication of the remanded claim for service connection for alopecia. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alopecia, including whether it can be classified as a congenital or developmental defect or disease and if there was any superimposed injury or disease in active duty that resulted in additional disability.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's painful scar, residual of postoperative ruptured appendix and closed colostomy due to clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, postoperative residuals of right inguinal hernia, and surgical scar, status-post right inguinal hernia repair, are all granted with respective ratings. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions are rated at the maximum allowable level under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a fall with barbed wire are granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issue of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The VA will address these issues before making a final decision on the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder disability, left ankle and ankle disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, low back disability, and right elbow disability. The claim for status post left salpingectomy with scars was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a potential recharacterization as TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis prior to March 7, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied as there was no evidence of an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater for the left knee scar, and his other conditions did not meet the criteria for increased disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for postsurgical scar excision/high grade myxofibrosarcoma of the right thigh is denied.,Service connection for pulmonary emphysema, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, is denied.,The Veteran's mandible dislocation is found to be related to his active service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cervical scar is rated at 10 percent under DC 7804 and a separate rating of 30 percent under DC 7800 for the presence of two characteristics of disfigurement. The Board has granted these ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass graft scar residuals, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hallux valgus, right foot; hallux valgus, left foot; and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for uterine fibroids status post myomectomy with residual scar prior to March 6, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome on his other eye conditions, including cataracts, macular scar, pinguecula, arcus senilis, and glaucoma. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.