Scars Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lichen simplex chronicus with scarring, finding that his condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on exposure or other factors. The current rating is appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and treatment.

The decision denies additional attorney fees as a result of past due benefits awarded in the November 24, 2014 rating decision for service connection for PTSD, scar of the cervical spine, and tension headaches, along with grants of SMC-HB and TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his nose injury residuals are unrelated to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s cervical spine (neck) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbar spine (low back) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of acute febrile illness, and his left lower extremity scarring due to MRSA infection is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s sleep disability (OSA and chronic insomnia) is subsumed under his service-connected PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to a procedural error, including securing relevant VA examinations that were not submitted by the Veteran but rather secured by the AOJ. The AOJ must consider this evidence and provide the Veteran and his attorney an opportunity to respond before appellate consideration.

The Veteran's service connection for a left eye condition, including left-eye corneal scarring, is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tendonitis of the left ankle.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of May 21, 2018. The RO also assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity and residual lumbar scar associated with intervertebral disc syndrome were denied as there was no communication prior to July 31, 2012 that could be reasonably construed as a claim of entitlement to benefits.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient information to make a determination on the initial compensable ratings for neck and abdominal/thigh scars, as well as the increased rating for left ankle fracture disability. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral testicular condition is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or history of a testicular disability, and the Veteran does not have a diagnosed testicular disorder related to service. For his right forearm scar, painful scar, and nerve injury, the Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 8513. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine, bilateral finger, bilateral knee, bilateral leg, and bilateral foot disabilities. The examiner concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's disability rating for cornea scar of the right eye, residual of abrasions cornea transplant is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address Veteran's reports of bleeding from scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's left leg disability, specifically his left knee scar and DJD. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2020. The Board also granted eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for her right shoulder, left shoulder, rhinitis, sinusitis, and painful C-section scar conditions. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of scarring of the abdomen, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and specifically to a cholecystectomy he underwent in March 1971. The Board determined that there was equipoise of evidence regarding this relationship.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted. The right ear hearing loss and the left toe scar claims are denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected nonspecific urethritis, erectile dysfunction, and endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic/femoral artery bypass with scar due to incomplete medical records and lack of recent evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.