Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 7, 2010 do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for ED with diagnosed penile deformity since January 18, 2019. A separate 10 percent disability rating is also granted for a surgical scar status post prostatectomy since the same date.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 2016, and for obtaining any outstanding records from Dr. Monmouth.

The Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s hernia scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.,Service connection was denied for bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting their existence or causation by service.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus as the Veteran did not report having it during his STRs and medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remand orders, including the need for a new functional capacity evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for abdominal scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the causality and proximate cause of his additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a thoracic spine scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show three or four scars that were unstable or painful, and therefore, a higher rating could not be granted. For the TDIU claim prior to July 19, 2017, the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for onychomycosis, bilateral pes planus, left hip labral tear with limitation of flexion, left hip labral tear with limitation of extension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), folliculitis decalvans, and scarring alopecia, scalp scar, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and left knee PFPS are all remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were caused by or resulted from his own willful misconduct and, therefore, were not incurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for foot fungus, dental implants, and an initial compensable evaluation for the appendectomy scar before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a tumor removal surgery is remanded due to inadequate opinion and missing records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to review.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine, is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology and employment capabilities.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's right inguinal hernia and scar claims are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's chronic gastritis claim requires additional development due to incomplete examination findings.,The Veteran's left great toe arthrodesis with amputation claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Separate service connection for dysphagia is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for otitis externa and retinal scar, right eye due to incomplete STRs from Key West Naval Hospital. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and any other relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant service treatment records for the Veteran's right index finger laceration scars. The Veteran states she received treatment during her active service in Afghanistan, but VA did not attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further proceedings due to errors in assigning disability ratings and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and increased evaluations for his right forehead scar, right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar myositis, and gastritis. The Veteran was granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for a painful forehead scar.

The Veteran's appeals of increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed. Effective dates for awards of service connection are denied.