Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including initial compensable ratings for various conditions and service connection for a right knee disability. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records, schedule new VA examinations, and issue an SSOC.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, status post-surgical excision of pilonidal cyst at lower back, is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain records from Darnall Army Medical Center, which may contain information relevant to the Veteran's claims of service connection for right arm ulnar nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, and scarring.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for loss of use of the right upper extremity was denied, but his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (A&A) was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his left arm arteriovenous fistula. The initial rating for the left wrist surgical scar remains granted at 20 percent.

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not require such assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete examination and missing treatment records. The Veteran is entitled to another hearing with the panel of Veterans Law Judges.

The Veteran's right breast scar is granted a 10 percent rating, effective prior to February 18, 2020. For the period starting February 18, 2020, the claim for a higher rating is denied. The issue of TDIU is moot due to the Veteran's total disability rating for schizoaffective disorder. SMC at the housebound rate is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion, and a new one must be obtained.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left knee scars have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information regarding additional functional loss or limitation of motion experienced during flare-ups of pain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating prior to July 30, 2014, and his bilateral pes planus alone does not qualify him for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and reduction of the rating for rhinitis were denied. The Board found that his anxiety disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, appendectomy scar, right middle finger scar, and TDIU claims did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's scars of the right ankle/foot, right knee, left middle finger and thumb, right hand palm/wrist, and status post total matrixectomy of the right hallux are granted a 30 percent disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of entitlement to evaluations for various service-connected disabilities due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and updated treatment records.,The Board is also remanding several other issues, including an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, increased ratings for left ankle status post-sprain with instability and shin splints, right knee medial collateral ligament/meniscal tear with grinding/popping, and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals (scar) are denied, as well as a temporary total rating for convalescence following prostatectomy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the submission of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding records of VA and VA-authorized treatment, including scanned/VistA imaging records. The right knee increased evaluation claims are also remanded for an adequate medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU prior to June 4, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include bilateral pes planus, glaucoma, GERD, right ankle sprain, scar, cervical spine strain degenerative disc, bilateral shin splints, asthma, and tinea pedis.