Scars Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal mass removal, hernia repair as secondary to duodenal mass removal, and residual scars as secondary to duodenal mass removal. The Veteran is also granted a 50% disability rating for migraine headaches effective October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, scar on the right knee, and scars on the umbilicus are all rated based on their current manifestations.,A TDIU is being remanded as additional evidence may be relevant to this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and related surgical scar render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 12, 2016. Prior to that date, he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ear lobe amputation scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his reported symptoms.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residual surgical scar status post ganglion cyst removal have been denied. Her right shoulder and right wrist CTS issues are remanded.,The Board has referred the Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, as these matters require additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for a pelvic disability as a residual of a Cesarian section and for a Cesarian section scar are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as it is etiologically related to noise exposure during active military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for service connection for a pelvic disability and for a Cesarian section scar are remanded.,,,

The Veteran's left knee conditions do not warrant a higher rating, and his residual scar from upper-back cyst removal does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development and evidence collection, including seeking outstanding VA medical records and obtaining the Veteran's consent to obtain private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for head laceration scars are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for consideration of new evidence and readjudication.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for costochondritis associated with a residual scar from right lower lobe segmentectomy is granted. The appeal regarding the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's total abdominal hysterectomy was not performed by a VA employee or in a VA facility, and thus she is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the residuals of her surgery.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for her service-connected painful surgical scar of the right breast and superficial and nonlinear scar of the left breast are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded three issues: right hip disorder, left ear deformity, and facial scars. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.,Tinnitus is remanded for a VA audiometric examination to determine its etiology.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for an updated VA examination and medical opinion considering the Veteran’s specific medical history.,Heart condition and high blood pressure are remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion addressing their relationship with service-connected conditions.,Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood remains at issue, requiring an updated VA psychiatric examination.,Right knee instability and degenerative changes with internal derangement remain at issue, requiring an updated VA examination.,Left thigh scar and right hand scarring are remanded for increased ratings based on the Veteran's current medical records.,TDIU is remanded due to the Veteran’s service-connected conditions impacting his employment.,Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for any lung disorder remains at issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates earlier than the assigned dates are not granted as there is no evidence of intent to file a claim prior to those dates.,An effective date earlier than November 6, 2014 for PTSD, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension is denied.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for scar, status post basal cell carcinoma and denied entitlement to an effective date prior to July 2, 2017, for the award of service connection for scar, status post basal cell carcinoma.,The appellant's last day of active service was July 1, 2017. The VA assigned an initial noncompensable evaluation and a July 2, 2017 effective date for the award of service connection.