Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left index finger scars and to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right eye condition, BPH, stomach condition, and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The residual scar on his left leg is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability, diagnosed as left ulnar neuropathy due to nerve damage from an in-service laceration, is granted a 30 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for a surgical midline abdominal scar is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. The Board found that the scar was painful but not unstable and did not result in any limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he required A&A or was permanently confined to his home.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar myofascial strain and right eye macular scar due to evidence of worsening since his last VA examinations. The Veteran is also encouraged to submit a formal application for service connection for secondary disabilities, such as headaches and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues, including those related to traumatic brain injury, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability.,Issues such as service connection for TBI, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability are now pending before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, exposure to herbicide agents, and participation in combat. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings related to his service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected upper lip scar as a scar of the face and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected upper lip scar as an unstable or painful scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and clarification of certain examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, initial compensable rating for scar, residuals status post right inguinal hernia repair, and initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with chronic associated pain in limb. The issues are related to new evidence that reopened his service connection claim.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and surgical scar are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees even with flare-ups or repetitive use. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU as his disabilities did not meet the regulatory schedular rating requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (a).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle degenerative joint disease, right hip replacement, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), painful surgical scar due to hip replacement, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right arm laceration claim during a Board hearing, resulting in its dismissal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, residual scars from post-service surgery, and ear disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his eye scars.