Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the appeal as there was no timely substantive appeal filed regarding the issues of effective dates and ratings for various conditions, as well as service connection for head tumors, a left eye disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 22, 2011. From that date forward, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals of PFB, lung scars, right shoulder disorder, and left eye cataract. The appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

Your left knee disability has already been granted service connection, so your appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, residual surgical scars secondary to the condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 16, 2010 is granted as this was the earliest date that entitlement to service connection for disfiguring scars on posterior scalp from removal of a sebaceous cyst arose.

The Board has remanded the claims for left finger laceration, gout of elbows, feet and knees, and nephrolithiasis due to a duty to assist error in missing verification of the Veteran's active duty training dates.

The Board has determined that the February 2006 rating decision, which awarded an initial 10% rating for facial scar, was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The rating is revised to reflect a 30% rating effective March 26, 2004.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 3, 2012 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 8, 2011.

The Veteran's residuals of a left eye corneal scar have been rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal, as there were no incapacitating episodes and visual acuity was consistently at least 20/40 or better.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left index finger laceration and scar prior to June 10, 2017 are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy was granted in an August 2019 rating decision, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted, and subsequent manifestations of degenerative arthritis in the left hip and bilateral big toes are considered as a manifestation of this condition.

The Veteran's mid abdominal scar is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied because there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. The Veteran has a right knee disability which may be considered secondary to his left knee disability, but this issue is not addressed as the right knee disability is not service-connected.,The Board finds that hypertension does not have sufficient evidence of association with herbicide exposure and thus cannot be presumed due to such exposure. However, VA examination/medical opinion is required to determine if it is related to any other incident in service or otherwise.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied because there are no records showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring of the left thigh was denied as there were no deep or unstable scars, and the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient reasons and bases in the July 2018 decision, including failure to consider the Veteran's statements of painful motion during an August 2012 VA examination and a May 2017 VA examiner’s failure to test the right shoulder for pain on passive motion.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for residual scar, cyst removal is granted. The issues of service connection for skin cancer and non-service connection pension are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right eye peripheral corneal scar. The matter is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Translate from Spanish into English all pertinent evidence in the claims file, and associate it with the Veteran’s claims file; (2) Obtain and associate with the Veteran’s claims file a copy of the Goldmann charts showing the results of visual field testing conducted on October 17, 2014; May 8, 2015; June 23, 2015; and upon VA examination in August 2009, May 2012, and May 2015. Lastly, the Veteran contends that his service-connected right eye disability has worsened during the appellate period, so a remand is warranted for a new eye examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to address eligibility for home adaptations, financial assistance, service connection for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, depression, and physical impairments, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.