Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals scars and radial nerve damage of the left upper extremity, status-post excision of squamous and basal cell carcinoma, at the Bay Pines VAMC, for substitution purposes.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and an initial disability rating of 30 percent was assigned for the service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with anal fissure prior to August 5, 2024. The claim for a higher rating from August 5, 2024, forward was denied.

The Board granted service connection for atrial fibrillation, residual surgical scar, mandibular bone disability, and left ear hearing loss. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied, and some claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and denied service connection for left shoulder synovitis, cervical spine strain, anterior right upper chest scar, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation, and right shoulder limitation of motion.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected left eye corneal scar and remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral leg scars, as the evidence did not show that the scars more nearly approximated those required for a compensable rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, external; scar, left cheek status post laceration; and scar, scalp status post laceration due to a need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis cervical spine, status-post anterior C6-7 microdiskectomy and fusion (excluding the period of temporary total convalescence rating) effective January 28, 2020.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for scars residual of left inguinal varicocelectomy and right spermatocelectomy, but denied a compensable rating for residuals, status post-surgery for left varicocele and right spermatocele of the epididymis.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, MDD, and readjudicated the claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow, and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for additional disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to October 2017 VA medical care (panniculectomy) and secondary service connection theories.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for right thigh scar, service connection for hypothyroidism, bilateral fallen arches, sinusitis, and sexual dysfunction secondary to hypothyroidism due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disability diagnosed as bilateral hand strain and left 3rd finger fragment is granted, along with an initial 10 percent rating for keloid scars chest, bilateral lower extremity, back, and bilateral upper extremity from August 13, 2018.

The Board restored the 40% rating for the service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated disc status post L5-S1 disc replacement effective June 25, 2024, and granted an initial 10% rating for a surgical scar on the anterior trunk.

The Board denied an increased rating for CAD, granted a 20 percent rating for painful scars of the anterior upper trunk, and granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension. The claims for increased ratings for GERD and ED were also denied.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for an opiate dependency disorder is dismissed, and the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. Several other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied increased ratings for a painful post-right inguinal hernia repair scar, hemorrhoids, and migraine headaches. The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent was upheld.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, including acne, epidermoid cyst, and scarring, as the evidence did not show that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostatitis, kidney stones, and multiple other disabilities. The earlier effective date claim was also denied.