Scars Board decisions

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee scars, as previous examinations did not provide sufficient information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The matter is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and his claim for a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and an assessment of the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his functionality.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and shell fragment wound scars of the right arm, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's scars on both arms and his bilateral foot condition are being reviewed again as they may be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for PTSD. The Veteran's in-service stressors are considered credible.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent, effective July 8, 2020. The Veteran’s back scar is rated at 10 percent prior to June 18, 2019, and the rating for this condition will be reconsidered due to a change in VA regulations. Service connection for a left knee disability and PTSD are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a stroke, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran’s sleep apnea, addressing whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period from November 2, 2015 to December 17, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU as his disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for left hip scar and left ankle impingement has been granted.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder is denied. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for respiratory disability, high blood pressure, diverticulitis with partial colectomy and residual scars, erectile dysfunction, and skin disability. The Board dismissed these issues as a result of the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and right inguinal hernia repair scars, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include service connection for various conditions, but no specific exposure basis or presumption is mentioned.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for service-connected left inguinal hernia, status post herniorrhaphy and a separate 10 percent rating for the residual scar. The Veteran's symptoms caused marked interference with employment.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address due process issues and obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's employment prospects. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including headaches, kidney disability, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for headaches, his claim of service connection for a kidney disability remains pending, he must provide new evidence to reopen his previously denied claim, he needs to establish service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Board will review the claims again after obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected chest scars, claimed as keloids, are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to instability or pain of the scars. For anterior trunk scars, no compensable rating was assigned.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the post-operative scar, is rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2016. This rating is in line with her current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 6, 2015 for special monthly compensation based on Aid And Attendance (A&A) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance before May 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and missing medical records.