Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and new evidence added since the last statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including scarring of the lungs and COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating given his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal of reducing her acne with scarring of the face and neck disability rating from 30 percent to zero percent is dismissed because it was only a proposed reduction, not an official decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to personal needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board has decided to remand the evaluation of right shoulder recurrent dislocation and left shoulder surgical scar due to potential inadequacies in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims will be addressed again after a new examination is conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence that could establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date of May 15, 2019, for a 10 percent rating each for his service-connected left thumb (extensor pollicis longus) laceration residuals and painful left thumb scar are granted.

The Veteran's left little finger scar is not service-connected as there was no current evidence of a scar.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's right knee disability to his active duty, and it is considered an acute injury that resolved prior to discharge.,Service connection for residuals of pharyngitis with history of upper respiratory infection cannot be established due to lack of current diagnosis.,The right ankle condition was noted as a sprain during service but has not been shown to have any chronicity or link to active duty.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's hypertrophied tonsils to his military service.,Service connection for an undescended right testicle cannot be established due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's left eye corneal stoma scar resulted in a visual acuity of 20/50 uncorrected near vision, and the Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating. The appeal for service connection for back and bilateral hip conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is denied as moot due to the existence of a compensable rating for his service-connected disabilities. The Board has also remanded several issues for further development, including an examination for bilateral inguinal hernia and scars, and for readjudication.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of scars, but they are not painful or unstable and thus do not warrant a higher rating.

Service connection granted for sinusitis. Effective date prior to February 19, 2014.,Service connection denied for left and right shin splints. Effective dates prior to February 19, 2014.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability with scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has not fully considered the evidence and remanded issues related to left hand disability and scar evaluations. The case is being returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal, specifically not pursuing the issue of an initial compensable rating for the service-connected skin graft scar of the left leg.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post bilateral radical mastectomy with right axillary lymph node dissection, thyroid cancer, and metastatic cell lymphoma of the neck due to exposure to ionizing radiation during her military service.,The Board also remanded issues related to secondary service connection for a right arm nerve damage and a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of the middle finger scars, left hand claim is dismissed. The right eye injury with scar issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a healed open dislocation of the left fifth digit at the PIP joint, a scar on the left hand, and right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,Service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance due to procedural issues.