Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition was denied. The appeal seeking to reopen the claim for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a disability rating of 50 percent for headaches.,Service connection for sleep apnea, blood condition, dental condition, and abdominal scar were all denied.

The Veteran's right-hand scar at the tip of distal lateral third finger is granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective from when he filed his claim in August 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, athlete's foot, appendectomy scar, and sialadenitis were all denied. The Veteran was granted initial compensable ratings (10%) for athlete's foot, appendectomy scar, and sialadenitis. His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee residuals of lateral meniscectomy is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee scars and status post total left knee arthroplasty are granted with specific disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar and hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for UTIs, bilateral open-angle glaucoma, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for conjunctivitis prior to August 16, 2017 are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on three issues have been dismissed. The Board has remanded one issue: the evaluation of thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hysterectomy, adhesions, and scarring was granted with an effective date of August 29, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's scar on his head is related to service-connected acne of the scalp.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Regional Office must first address a request for substitution before the Board can proceed with the case.

The claim for service connection of headaches has been reopened and granted. The effective date for the award of service connection for fracture, right (major) fifth metacarpal head is April 2, 1992. The claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with scar and history of herniated disc and discectomy remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from March 23, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for gastritis, left ankle sprain prior to June 18, 2018 and from June 18, 2018 onwards, or scar, status-post operative left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's service-connected unequal leg length is granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. A new compensable rating of 10% is assigned for the right knee surgical scar. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

An effective date of September 18, 2015 is granted for the award of service connection for painful scars on the head, status-post laceration. The decision also addresses a claim of CUE in the denial of service connection for scalp laceration scar (head scar) and finds that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left breast mass incisional biopsy and residual scar to the left breast for left breast mass/lump were denied initial compensable ratings as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's separate chronic right-hand disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected TFCC tear with scar, right wrist and traumatic arthritis of the PIP joint of the right index finger. The Veteran also receives a TDIU prior to November 8, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left-hand cyst and hernia scar, as well as for a rating determination on his service-connected hernia scar.