Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The right inguinal hernia and painful surgical scar of abdomen associated with it have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's facial scars are rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied service connection for parathyroid adenoma and scar on neck as secondary to parathyroid adenoma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding earlier effective dates for service connection. The Veteran's somatic symptom with pain disorder is granted a 50% rating, but no higher, from November 19, 2015. The issues of service connection for a penile condition, initial compensable ratings for pubic area surgical scar and left ilio-inguinal neuralgia, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including effective date determinations and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide new evidence in support of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a basal cell carcinoma scar on the left lower cheek was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for multiple superficial, linear scars of the anterior chest is remanded due to insufficient information from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and instability, but the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for painful residual appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative appendicitis residuals including peritonitis and bowel fistula, prior to July 16, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent effective July 16, 2014. The Board also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of proximate cause, finding that his disfiguring scars on the nose and neck, as well as impaired smell, were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for scars on the left upper extremity and residuals of a left radial fracture were denied. The scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804. For the radial fracture, the evidence shows no functional impairment or loss of range of motion.

The Veteran's left knee surgical scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent rating for GERD is granted. The appeals for service connection for back, left foot and right foot disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests for these claims. The appeals for an increased rating for left knee degenerative changes with scar, right knee scar, and TDIU prior to September 15, 2016 are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable and greater than 10 percent ratings for his service-connected left fifth finger scar and head scars due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is required to reschedule these examinations at a facility where the Veteran does not work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions, including coronary artery disease, right knee replacement, right knee burn scar with right knee surgical scars, left knee and femur disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, left hip disability, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for kidney disorder, PTSD, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right lower leg scar.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied entitlement to accrued benefits based on new and material evidence not being received.