Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to a request to participate in the RAMP program. The issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea. His skin disability ratings are denied, but he has a new rating of 20 percent for painful scars since May 5, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of motion, and residual scar have been remanded.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or aggravation since service discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for amputation of left index finger with re-attachment and residual scar, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches was not addressed by the Board.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his requests for service connection and other benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted TDIU from January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes two issues: a request for an increased rating for his left knee scars and another for his left knee osteoarthritis. Both claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examination for his left middle finger strain. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scars, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), and a respiratory disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for scars was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in December 2003. However, no new and material evidence was received within one year of the August 2003 denial for depression. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. A compensable rating of 10 percent for a painful scar from residuals of pilonidal cyst and a compensable rating of 10 percent for left-sided paresthesia status post pilonidal cyst excision were granted.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD was restored from March 1, 2016. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been rendered moot.

The Veteran's scar due to status-post benign cavernous sinus tumor is granted a rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring compliance with remand directives.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) Bilateral calf conditions and 2) A scar on the Veteran's chin. The Veteran served in the Marine Corps from March 1992 to March 1996.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing his claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a keloid scar of the posterior aspect of the head, an effective date prior to August 15, 2015, for service connection for scars of the head, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scars of the head.,The Board has determined that these issues should be remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.