Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee scar but denied service connection for a left knee musculoskeletal disorder and arthritis. The scar was incurred in service, while the musculoskeletal disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his right upper extremity disability, including pain and numbness, is related to carelessness or negligence during the September 2013 surgical procedure.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his head and face scars, as well as an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings, service connection claims, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to his death.

Your appeal for a right calf scar has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, left hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection was established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy, chronic cervical strain, and great toe condition have been remanded for further examination. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual facial scarring has also been remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's well-healed scar on the right ear and surgical scar on the left cheek do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's painful/tender scars of the left cheek and right ear are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but do not warrant an increase under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and scar are being remanded for further evaluation as the current rating does not reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of January 16, 1998 for left lower extremity hamstring allograft and lower left extremity painful scar. The claim for service connection for left lower saphenous nerve damage was reopened due to new evidence and a grant of service connection with an effective date of January 16, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with its prior remand directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's loss of appetite and appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include PTSD, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, neoplasms of the thyroid, and neoplasms of the kidney.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left anterior chest scar is currently rated as non-compensable. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the current symptoms and severity of his scar.

The Veteran's right ankle and PTSD disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the right ankle and PTSD claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left scalp disorder is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, and liver cancer, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and employment information, as well as a new opinion regarding entitlement to TDIU prior to December 17, 2012.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 16, 2015 for a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected scar abdomen (painful) right side hernia repair.

The Veteran's claim of weight gain is denied as it does not constitute a disease or injury for which service connection may be established.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s left knee osteoarthritis and chronic right knee strain have been rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder joint sprain, status post acromion open reduction and internal fixation has been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at noncompensable (0%). The Board finds no basis for an increased rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder residual surgical scar and left side of hip residual surgical scars have both been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s restless leg syndrome has not been evaluated by VA as it is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip disability, and head injury have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.