Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's bilateral pinguecula has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's right foot hallux abductovalgus and hammertoes have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left foot hallux abductovalgus and hammertoes have been granted service connection.,The scar on the left foot from a bunionectomy has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a second degree burn with scarring of the left leg are granted a 10 percent disability evaluation, considering pain and stability but not functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee pain with mild patellofemoral degenerative changes, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, residual scar of hernia operation (right inguinal area), and painful residual scar of hernia operation (left inguinal area).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that he was not precluded from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 31, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for center of the head and left eyebrow scars is denied, as there is no evidence that he filed a claim prior to October 12, 2015. The initial rating assigned was 10 percent, which is not higher than what is warranted based on the current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hernia surgery and painful scar residual, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for polycystic kidney disease. The left hip scar case is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, neck scars, status post right wrist bone fusion, sensory neuropathy of the lower left extremity, and bone graft scars. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right forearm scar are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a higher initial rating for a low back disability. The issues include whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a seizure disability, as well as multiple secondary service connection claims.

The Board found that the separation of ratings for folliculitis scar, back of head and neck, and painful scars of the head, face, neck, and anterior chest did not result in a reduction of benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected residual right heel disability, including a painful scar and mild neuralgia of the popliteal nerve, is granted with an initial 20 percent rating effective June 30, 2009.,A separate 10 percent rating for Haglund's deformity associated with the service-connected residual right heel disability is also granted effective June 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including lung cancer and scarring of the lungs, is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case will be developed further regarding this theory.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran’s claims for higher ratings related to lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Bell's Palsy were not addressed as they are not on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for scarring, right lung (also claimed as pulmonary disorder), and compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Peyronie’s disease.