Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness (secondary to migraines) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a separate dizziness condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a painful scar on his scrotum, which he claims is from testicular surgery during service, was granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for athlete’s foot was remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for instability and strain in the right knee due to inconsistencies with previous examinations and lack of medical explanation for improvement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should receive a VA right hip examination to determine the current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his right hip disability. The Veteran also needs a VA mental health examination to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for kidney cancer is denied.,Service connection for head scar is denied.,Major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for alopecia and rear head scar as there is insufficient clarity in the medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's alopecia, which may be a congenital defect or disease. The decision also notes that the service connection claim for the rear head scar must be deferred due to its interrelatedness with the alopecia claim.

The Veteran's keloid disability, resulting from a thyroidectomy performed by VA in July 2009, is considered to be the result of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was properly informed about the risk of forming a keloid and thus grants compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's right knee sprain with instability is rated at 10 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for the scar of the right thigh due to surgical removal of hematoma remains in place.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and clarification of certain records, as well as a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board denied a separate rating for painful chewing and limitation of motion of the head and neck as disabling effects of a surgical scar, finding that these symptoms are not specifically attributable to the Veteran's service-connected surgical scar.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including those related to the Veteran's left knee scar, right ring finger fracture, prostate cancer, and service connection for a low back condition. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The appeal for increased ratings in several other conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and varicose veins, is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating was denied. He received an initial compensable (10%) rating prior to November 26, 2019, and his claim for a higher rating since then was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, neck disability, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and dermatitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective the date after his last day of work.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, resulting in the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in July 2020, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is denied as she has been in receipt of a combined schedular rating of 100 percent since January 26, 2017. The Board also remanded several issues related to her service-connected foot disabilities due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a restored rating of 10% for his left shoulder scar is granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the issue remains pending. Service connection for neck disorder (cervical pseudoarthrosis and cervical spine arthritis) as secondary to left shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy on the left side as secondary to the neck condition is also granted. The claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.