Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder; however, no new or material evidence was found to reopen his claims for hypertension, post-operative abdominal injury, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right hip scar (residual of a gunshot wound).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining new medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of painful scar and surgical scar, left ankle have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a TDIU claim, as the Veteran does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. However, even when the rating percentage requirements are not met, entitlement to TDIU benefits may be considered if the veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his exostosis of externa ear canal, s/p excision of osteoma left ear canal with residual scar. The examiner should also determine if headaches are associated with this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease, status post coronary bypass surgery, from March 8, 2018 to March 7, 2019 was granted with a 100% evaluation.,The effective date of service connection for surgical scar is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left wrist disability and scar was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other functional loss that would warrant a higher rating. The current 10% ratings are considered appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of increased ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's effective dates for service connection and temporary total evaluations have been denied due to lack of evidence showing claims prior to the assigned dates.,An effective date prior to May 10, 2018 has not been granted for left knee degenerative joint disease as no earlier claim was filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and major depressive disorder, are not sufficient to qualify for a TDIU due to his failure to submit the required VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's service treatment records contain in-service biopsies of breast growths and she reported pain and scarring due to her active service. However, no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the Veteran’s bilateral breast condition is related to her military service.,Service treatment records indicate the Veteran was treated for excessive vaginal bleeding and cervical polyps during service. She underwent surgery in 2010 which revealed uterine hypertrophy with intramural leiomyomata. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's condition pre-existed service and is not related to her active service.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection for various conditions as secondary to Raynaud syndrome due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected scar, residual of removal of tumor in the right parotid area, right neck, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating due to lack of visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features.

The appeal for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, scars, stapedectomy right ear, chronic irritation to lower left eyelid, in-situ cancer, atypical fibroxanthoma, ulcerative colitis, and pin worms is dismissed. The issue of service connection for ulcerative colitis is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The right wrist scar issue is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right-hand, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar, status post knee replacement due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his post-operative scar behind the left ear is granted, with an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent prior to August 2, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his corneal scars and right eye traumatic cataract is denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating effective from August 2, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 21, 2013 is denied as he did not meet the disability rating percentage threshold.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for the awards of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates were set at February 21, 2014.