Scars — all decisions

The Board remands the case to provide a VA examination to determine the medical significance of certain records and opinions regarding the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a skin condition manifest by acne and associated scarring, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted since the previous denial.

The Board granted service connection for skin disabilities, to include actinic keratosis and residuals of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma with scarring, due to exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs). The claims for vertigo and diabetes mellitus were remanded.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for right hip arthroscopic scar residuals and the extension of a temporary total rating for right hip strain, impingement, and labral tear based on a need for convalescence were dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board granted service connection for an eye disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's lung condition is related to service, including any possible exposure during military deployments.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for migraines and scars of the extremities/trunk were remanded.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD and a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain, while denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 30, 2020 for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, a scar of the left third toe, amputation of the left third toe, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board granted service connection for the circumcision scar and remanded several other conditions, including prostate cancer, ED, suprapubic pain, voiding dysfunction, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and granulomatous epididymitis, due to a need for further evidence.

The Board denied service connection for post surgical scarring secondary to traumatic alopecia and an asymptomatic forehead scar at hairline status post surgical excision, but granted service connection for multiple fractures 4th and 5th metatarsals, left foot with post-traumatic arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for urticaria vasculitis and perirectal abscess painful scar, as there was no evidence of debilitating episodes or unstable scars.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for left knee recurrent instability from November 17, 2022, and an effective date of September 26, 2006, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for other aspects of left foot surgical scars.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of back injury, residuals of excision of ingrown toenail, left ankle sprain, and pseudofolliculitis on face to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for gastrectomy residuals and 10 percent for gastrectomy scars, but denied higher ratings for hypertension, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for an enlarged prostate, GERD, cervical spine pain, and right wrist pain.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and a rating of 40 percent for status post total right knee replacement (right TKR), while denying increased ratings for the other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, except for granting an effective date of September 16, 2022, for service connection for GERD and IBS.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially to his death.

The Board granted restoration of the 50 percent rating for hidradenitis suppurativa (skin condition) scars throughout face and head, the 10 percent rating for anterior trunk scar, and the 40 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) scar. The claims for initial compensable ratings for RLE, LUE, and LLE scars were denied.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, respiratory disorder with dyspnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal pain syndrome (APS), restless leg syndrome (RLS), chronic headaches, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and disability manifested by right shoulder pain. The Board also granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities to 40 percent.