Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and surgical scar) did not interfere with his normal employability, so he is not entitled to a 10% evaluation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Veteran's service connection for painful scars on right hand and scar residual of surgery to right hand is being remanded due to issues related to effective dates, increased ratings, and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 10, 2011. A 10 percent rating for status-post laceration of the right long and ring fingers with residual painful scar is also granted effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and bilateral neuropathy, as well as his right flatfoot condition. The claims for a surgical scar of the right foot and diabetic foot ulcers have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected status post right epididymectomy and scar in the right inguinal area was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his PTSD rating in excess of 30 percent is dismissed. The Veteran was unable to maintain employment due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and cardiac issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for PTSD, right eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in December 2014, and he did not appeal. The effective date of the grants was set at February 22, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for a painful surgical scar of the left index finger was granted with an evaluation of 10 percent effective January 15, 2018. He requested an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 40 percent from March 1, 2013 due to ankylosis of the major extremity.,The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating for his right wrist disability prior to August 15, 2012 and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for narcolepsy and a total abdominal hysterectomy with scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals.,Her claim for headache disorder is granted, but she needs to provide additional evidence regarding her asthma, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining federal records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her claims for an increased rating and opposition to the proposed reduction in her right shoulder condition rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and TDIU have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his right knee scar and overall disability rating have been dismissed as they are attempts to establish freestanding claims, not appeals of final decisions.

The Veteran's initial rating for a facial scar is denied, with an effective date of July 31, 2014.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful facial scar is denied, with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, neck, and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his abdominal scar and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his painful scar, right lower abdomen, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.