Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection, but his increased rating claims for degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C had its onset during his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for extraschedular consideration due to the unique symptoms of his unstable maxilla scar, which causes food to come out of his nostril while eating. The case must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for an evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, migraine headaches, bilateral shoulder disabilities, calluses in the feet, and scars on the right shoulder are denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 70% under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a 100% disability rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scar formation on the breasts, buttocks and lower back, psoriasis, and bilateral ankle strain with calcaneal spur are all remanded. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her psoriasis as of December 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including breast cancer and its secondary effects. The Veteran's contentions regarding her breast complaints in service are considered, but further development is needed to obtain records from private clinics where she received treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscectomy with arthritis is granted, effective May 2, 2012. The Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability has been rated based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded and will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for residuals of right eye corneal scar and service connection for bilateral glaucoma due to incomplete examinations. The AOJ is instructed to attempt scheduling appropriate medical examinations in accordance with VA Adjudication Procedure Manual provisions.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for presumed embolization/migration of a brachytherapy seed to the left lower lung, associated with residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate (brachytherapy seed), and grants service connection for coronary artery disease, a painful scar of the right leg associated with coronary artery disease, and SMC based upon housebound criteria. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 11, 2014 for these conditions is denied.,This decision also denies the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 11, 2014 for service connection of a surgical scar associated with coronary artery disease and SMC based upon housebound criteria. The Veteran's claim for an extension of SMC beyond February 1, 2015 is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) arrhythmia is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected AFib arrhythmia, is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left elbow fracture is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for post traumatic scarring of the left epididymitis is remanded.

The Veteran's surgical scar, right foot is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has granted a higher rating.,The Veteran’s residuals of a right ankle fracture are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia with GERD, bilateral shin splints, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus were granted effective July 1, 2016. Claims for other conditions are denied as they were not received within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a clarifying opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected heart disability. The issues related to total disability rating based on individual unemployability and Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are awaiting a requested hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a painful upper left calf scar is denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of motion due to a left knee scar and right knee limitation of motion due to a left knee scar are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a painful upper left knee scar is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's scar on the left side of his nose is granted service connection, but he does not have a right ankle disability.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and foot conditions. He did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate or based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for keloid formations and scar disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that these conditions began during or were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left varicocele and left inguinal hernia scar. Additional development is needed, including VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional service records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain (chronic lower back pain), missing lower teeth, and permanent scarring of the lower lip. The VA will obtain these records and then readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and painful scars on anterior trunk, as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete evaluations in the past.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluation for his left ankle scar from 10% to noncompensable, but did not observe all procedural safeguards. The Board restored the 10% evaluation as it was void ab initio.