Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right hip scar was denied an initial higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected scar and a compensable initial rating for hypertension are still pending.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for right ankle surgical scars is granted at 10 percent, effective July 1, 2011 to November 19, 2019. The Veteran's left shoulder strain and right ankle tibiotalar DJD are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral great toe disability, bilateral knee disability, scars, lumbar spine disability, and heart condition have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of VA examination for service connection claims. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of current disability, and his scar on top of head claim requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective November 18, 2003, which was one year prior to his increased PTSD rating claim. The Board found the evidence supported an award on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's major vascular neurocognitive disability, alone, necessitates aid and attendance, which could potentially warrant a higher rate of SMC under subsection (o) and then (r)(1) or (r)(2).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including labrum tear of the right shoulder, back strain, and various skin issues. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's acne and polymorphous light eruption with residual scarring have required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids, retinoids, and oral medications over the entire appeal period. As a result, an initial maximum 60 percent rating is granted since September 2, 2009.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for concussion, migraine headaches, and a back condition due to insufficient evidence. The scar on lip claim is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unclear notice of a Decision Review Officer hearing and the need for an updated medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including tinnitus, right ankle disability, right elbow necrotic ulcer with scar, pelvic fracture, basilar skull fracture, right medial orbital wall fracture, right ear hearing loss disability, tracheostomy, right pulmonary contusion, grade VI liver laceration, status post-surgical repair, intraperitoneal bladder rupture, status-post surgical repair, splenetic laceration, status post multiple laparotomy repairs, scar secondary to a tracheostomy, scarring from stomach surgery, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injury. The decision was based on the finding that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service due to willful misconduct.,The Board also denied service connection for a right ankle disability, as it was determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left wrist fracture residuals with DJD has been denied. The Veteran does not have ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.,Prior to June 20, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected left CTS was rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. As of June 20, 2017, the condition has been rated as severe incomplete paralysis due to symptoms such as loss of reflexes and muscle atrophy.,The Veteran's residual linear and nonlinear scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating based on pain or instability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Bowling and Shoals Hospital, and providing a VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran’s right hand scars are related to service.

The Board denied a combined rating in excess of 90% since September 26, 2018. The Veteran's disabilities were evaluated and combined according to the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in an overall disability rating of 90%. The claim for a higher combined rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a stomach condition and back condition, both secondary to his service-connected postoperative appendectomy scar, have been reopened. The appeal is granted.