Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran’s representative withdrawing all issues except for those related to coronary artery disease, TDIU, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower-back condition, left-knee condition, and scar on top of the head. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his postoperative nasal scar, paralysis of left cranial nerve V, and residuals of left neck metastatic squamous cell carcinoma have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have qualifying wartime service for pension benefits. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied, and the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions and a determination of whether his erectile dysfunction is related to his period of active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the increased disability rating of 10 percent for service-connected residual scars, status post appendectomy, exploratory laparotomy, and right bunionectomy, as well as for the grant of service connection for right foot hallux valgus. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is July 31, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her residual scars was denied in June 2007 and became final. She filed a formal claim seeking an increased evaluation on July 31, 2013, which the RO considered as the date of claim. The effective date is set at that time.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, including dysthymic disorder with major depression, herniated disc at the L4-L5, tinea versicolor (dermatophytosis), chronic rhinitis, and appendectomy scar. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, including dysthymic disorder with major depression, herniated disc at the L4-L5, tinea versicolor (dermatophytosis), chronic rhinitis, and appendectomy scar. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's breast cancer is denied as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ulnar peripheral neuropathy, left forearm and hand scars, and fractured rib residuals as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for status post hysterectomy with uterovaginal prolapse was denied. The TDIU claim from February 12, 2014 to April 30, 2014 is dismissed due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. For the period since May 1, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold for TDIU and she was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability of any of the scars occurred within one year prior to September 22, 2014.,Service connection for PTSD was granted effective from September 22, 2014.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeal was also denied for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his multiple conditions.

The Veteran's back condition did not manifest ankylosis or incapacitating episodes during the period on appeal. The Board denied a higher disability rating for DJD of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for increased tinnitus prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to assess his scarring and whether his skin malignancy requires therapy comparable to that used on systemic malignancies. The effective date of service connection is also being remanded.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including the need to obtain additional treatment records and conduct new examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of current diagnoses and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for PTSD (unspecified) remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for his acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, left ankle disability, and right eye disability are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and compensable evaluations for various scars, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and a back disorder. The issues are dismissed.