Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals, left varicocele and an initial compensable evaluation for surgical scar from varicocelectomy.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, left hip disability, left wrist disability, pseudo-folliculitis barbae with scarring, and sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the claims for tinnitus, facial scars, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for further development.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right abdominal scar, but no higher.

The Board denied a compensable initial disability rating for abdominal scar tissue as the evidence did not show that the scars were unstable, painful, or covered 929 square centimeters or more.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, a right hand scar, and residuals of a right leg injury.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, OSA, GERD, facial scarring, urinary frequency, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a need for initial VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity pain and denied a compensable evaluation for left abdomen shrapnel scar.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for midline chest and abdomen scars, remanded the claims for service connection of an intestinal disorder (colon cancer) and a gastroesophageal disorder (dysphagia, esophageal stricture), as there were duty to assist errors in prior adjudications.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, earlier effective dates for service-connected conditions, and temporary total disability ratings.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to address the nature and residuals of the Veteran's 2000 hysterectomy, as the previous VA opinions are found to be inadequate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings and a separate rating, as there was no evidence of worsening symptoms within one year prior to the claim filing.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for residual scars of the head, neck, and face and residual scars of the anterior trunk and bilateral upper extremities due to basal and squamous cell carcinoma excisions for a medical opinion on the nature of treatment received.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and service connection for left knee strain, but denied other claims including increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, incomplete right bundle branch block (claimed as cardiac arrhythmia), degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS, scarring of the left inguinal area, status post varicocele surgery, and service connection for left shoulder strain and restless leg syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for a scar on the left second finger and remanded claims for chronic sinusitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervicothoracic disability.

The Board granted an effective date of March 15, 2023, for a 40 percent evaluation for service-connected prostate cancer and earlier dates for the awards of service connection for anterior and posterior trunk scars.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The appeal for an earlier effective date and a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder, depression, and chronic sleep impairment is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal during the Board hearing.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's scar on the right lower extremity, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depression, insomnia, and anxiety as secondary to service-connected tinnitus but denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and an increased rating for tinnitus. The remaining claims were remanded.