Scars — all decisions

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 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 denied service connection for various conditions, including stomach disability, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, left shoulder disability, residuals of fractured right middle finger, and right hip disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for shin splints, allergic rhinitis with history of sinusitis, post operative turbinate reduction, and residual scar of ganglion cyst removal.

The Board granted separate ratings for the Veteran's left knee pain and limited flexion, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection of disfiguring and painful scars. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of appendicitis and surgical scar, status post laparoscopic appendectomy, to ensure a thorough examination addressing the Veteran's theory that his appendicitis was caused by his service-connected GERD.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for hypothyroidism, malignant neoplasm of the thyroid and awarded SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions as there has not been substantial compliance with its previous directives.

The Board denied several claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, granted some claims for earlier effective dates, and remanded others for further development.

The Board granted service connection for steatohepatitis and gastrointestinal impairment, to include chronic diarrhea and GERD. The claims for a chronic cough, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, facial scar, back disability, left hip disability, bilateral hand osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension were denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, knee conditions, headaches, and others, as the evidence did not demonstrate that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service, ADT, or IDT.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded the claims for increased ratings for tension headaches, PTSD, burn scar of the right flank area, left ear hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae, erectile dysfunction, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for COPD, and a compensable rating for scars.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the regular need of aid and attendance from March 9, 2012. SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left foot surgical scars and residuals of bunionectomy due to the need for an SOC.

The Board granted an effective date of December 30, 2021 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and scars status-post robotic radical prostatectomy.

The Board denied an earlier effective date, a higher initial rating for scars with underlying soft tissue damage, and a compensable rating for stasis dermatitis. The IBS claim was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including headaches, PTSD, facial scarring, a left ankle condition, and others.

The Board remands the case for an examination to properly assess the Veteran's inguinal hernia repair scar and reported residuals of his inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected scar, status post suboccipital craniotomy with resection of a right cerebellar from January 25, 2022.