Scars Board decisions

The Board denied initial compensable evaluations for hydrocele and a residual scar, both related to the Veteran's service-connected varicocele of the left testicle. The conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's neck scar is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a neck scar disability is denied.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for burn scars of the face and right forearm, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion and bilateral wrist disability. The issues related to PTSD are addressed separately.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions, including surgical scarring of the neck based on disfigurement and dysphagia (swallowing impairment), was granted. However, his claims for secondary service connection were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than April 6, 2015 for the grant of service connection for residual scarring was denied as it did not meet the criteria. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of August 15, 2012. The Veteran's disability ratings for his right thumb and left thumb disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on hypertension was dismissed. The Court of Appeals granted service connection for coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, with a 10 percent rating assigned for the scar of the right hip.,A mixed disposition is noted due to some issues being granted (CAD) while others were dismissed or not addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide dates of her Reserve service periods, as well as any outstanding private treatment records relevant to her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his attorney. The appeal for TDIU is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition, scars (secondary to a skin condition), and reproductive failure. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left wrist disability other than the scar from ganglion removal. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for the left wrist scar resulting from the removal of a ganglion cyst during service.

The Board denied a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis and left knee scars, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left total knee replacement and pilonidal cyst, do not render him unemployable without regard to his age. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he is unable to work due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and the case remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's forehead scar received a 30% initial disability rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity scars were not rated higher than the current 20% and 10%. The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis and alcohol use disorder received an increased rating to 70%,Effective from January 28, 2015, service connection for PTSD was granted. Effective dates for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left upper extremity scars, forehead scar were also granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all the listed conditions, and thus the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and character of discharge. The main issue is whether the Veteran’s bad conduct discharge for his second period of service from August 2, 1989 to October 12, 1994 constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's IVDS and sciatic nerve disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations. The neurogenic bladder disability is granted an effective date of January 20, 2016. The Veteran’s surgical scars have been remanded for further review.