Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected residual scars on the scalp do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they are not disfiguring and do not cause any other qualifying characteristics of disfigurement.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to September 26, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for scars of the left knee is denied. The Board finds that there has been no findings of three or more painful or unstable scars from September 26, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent, and no higher, for actinic keratosis with rosacea is granted. The claims for scars from multiple nevi of the face and trunk are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his neck scar prior to July 13, 2017 is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on one characteristic of disfigurement. From July 13, 2017, the claim is also denied because the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features.

The Veteran's back disability and LLE radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent each, while RLE radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The effective date for service connection of RLE radiculopathy is denied as it was received within a year of the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his claim of service connection for eczema due to herbicide agent exposure. The remaining issues are related to the increased ratings and new disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The issues include back disorder, plantar fasciitis, left knee scar with keloid, and sarcoidosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 8, 2001. The case is being remanded for further action by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for his painful residual scar status post right hernia repair, finding that there was no evidence of pain prior to September 11, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars of the back was also denied, as there were no disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under other Diagnostic Codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee surgical scar, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia patella are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to July 31, 2019 and subsequently increased to 30 percent since that date.,Tinnitus has a current rating of 10 percent.,Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left thigh scar does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.,Issues related to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, and the left thigh scar are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's thoracic back strain, including service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's post traumatic headaches and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and a left thigh scar have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability. Service connection for respiratory disorders (COPD, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia) related to asbestos and environmental exposures has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney stones and for a temporary total evaluation for convalescence from kidney stone surgery due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for an effective date earlier than March 10, 2015, for a separate 20 percent disability rating for residual scars of GSW of the chest and abdomen remains denied.

The Board denied service connection and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea, insomnia, amputation of right leg, surgical scarring, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder (claimed as panic attacks and stress), diabetes, hypertension, circulatory disorder/left big toe, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions throughout the pendency of his appeal.

A 30 percent rating is granted for residuals of cold injury (left foot) even prior to November 2017, as of February 2017.,A 30 percent rating also is granted for residuals of cold injury (right foot) from February 2017. A compensable (i.e., higher 10 percent) rating is granted for residual scars from excision of bilateral breast mass associated with gynecomastia.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 12, 2005 for a 10 percent disability rating for his right forehead scar. The evidence did not demonstrate that a factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred within the one-year period preceding the claim.