Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that his tinnitus began during active service and is related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disability (including retina, scarring, atrophy, or irregularities of, eye disease, vision, and visual impairment) are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is denied as there is no evidence suggesting the condition began in or is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted, with the Board finding that it is etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding recognition of statements as timely NODs and entitlement to attorney fees, finding that the statements were not filed within 60 days of the July 10, 2017 decision.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is granted. The claims for service connection for secondary conditions are remanded due to a lack of medical opinion.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records and a completed VA Form 21-4142 for non-VA eye care to be obtained, as these are necessary for proper evaluation of the Veteran's right eye corneal scarring claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, which could affect his eligibility for SAH.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for loss of the right testicle is denied, and his TDIU is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, it was denied as there is no evidence showing that the service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and dismissed the appeals for temporary total disability rating and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's chest keloid scar is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804, which considers painful scars. His coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7005.,Both issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions, including right knee arthroscopy with chondromalacia, right knee scar status post arthroscopy, left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to October 30, 2019 and granted a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for TDIU or DEA benefits.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is rated at a 30 percent rating effective March 10, 2014. The claim for higher evaluation of the painful scar and TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from April 25, 2019 to July 24, 2019 was denied as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his claim.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars, status-post left knee arthroscopy for the period from April 25, 2019 to July 24, 2019 was denied as there were no other disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his inability to require regular aid and assistance, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of left foot neuroma removal and left foot scar disorder have been rated at the minimum compensable levels. The Board has found that remand is necessary to ensure proper consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of right knee instability and right knee surgical scars status post meniscectomy for further adjudication due to inconsistencies in the effective dates assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to May 25, 2012 is denied because he was employed full-time until that date and did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether a truss was used for the service-connected right inguinal hernia and the current status of the scar.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple scars of the left thigh/leg, knee, and left heel with keratosis are remanded due to insufficient examination findings.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of left femur fracture and right femur fracture require a new VA examination as per Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for a chronic skin condition, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy are withdrawn.