Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as for potential new evidence related to hearing loss, sciatica, and respiratory disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and facial scars. The VA examinations are required to address all applicable theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of extropia, status post bilateral lateral rectus resection and a TDIU rating due to outstanding treatment records not being associated with the claims file. The Veteran needs to provide VA Form 21-8940 for his service-connected eye disability and any claimed residuals at private providers. Additionally, all SSA documents related to his disability benefits claim should be obtained.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee disability, left knee scars, right shoulder disability, and right shoulder scar. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for two painful scars on the right anterior thigh, residual to shrapnel wound, is denied. The Board found that the scars are not deep and nonlinear, do not exceed 12 square centimeters in total area, and do not meet criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for left shoulder conditions was proper due to a prior dishonorable discharge, and thus restoration is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for residuals of bladder cancer, a scar related to bladder cancer, and erectile dysfunction (ED) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including dementia, chronic pancreatitis, and various neuropathies. The SMC rating is at the P-2 level.

The Veteran's depression is granted, and his headaches are found to be proximately due to his service-connected depression. The Board also grants a compensable evaluation for the residual fracture of the displacement of left zygoma and zygomatic arch.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition is denied. The initial rating for GERD from October 25, 2016 to October 9, 2019 was granted at 10 percent and increased to 30 percent starting October 10, 2019. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and cannabis abuse is not rated in excess of 70 percent. The rating for asthma remains unchanged. The left knee scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for a service-connected left eye disability and a service-connected scar before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a scar on the head is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a scar and recent VA examination did not find any visible scar.,The Veteran's claim for varicose veins of the left leg is denied as there is no evidence that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction including as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was aggravated by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of right heel pain.,The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was related to service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for gastritis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of gastroenteritis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and scars. The issues of increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cirrhosis, which is linked to his service-connected tinnitus and depression. The Board found that the service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants are also remanded.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's scar, left pectoralis area, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to lack of three or more unstable or painful scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to jet fuel exposure, ulcer, bladder cancer, cervical disease, dysmenorrhea (also claimed as menstrual stress), strep throat, mononucleosis, septicemia, and miscarriages have all been denied due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran was granted an initial 100 percent rating for her unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for her service-connected scar, right wrist and denied her claim of service connection for her right hip disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable rating schedules, except for one claim which was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and remanded for further development on other issues. The VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including Raynaud's syndrome.