Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer residuals with prostatectomy residuals, ventral hernia repair residuals, diabetes mellitus, and multiple radiculopathies, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand status post index finger laceration with scar needs to be re-evaluated due to his contention of increased severity. He is being asked to undergo a VA examination for this purpose.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in January 2018, prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 12, 2018.

The Board denied claims for effective dates earlier than March 14, 2017 for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the stomach, bladder cancer, partial gastrectomy, scar of the abdomen, and splenectomy. The RO granted presumptive service connection for these conditions as of March 14, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for an umbilical hernia, a compensable disability rating for an infraumbilical scar, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for further clarification regarding employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, scars, and headaches due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant medical evidence or lay statements supporting his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand issues have been addressed. The right abdominal scar, right foot tinea unguium, and left foot tinea unguium are all being reviewed further.

The reduction from 100% to 0% for lung cancer status post-surgical resection was proper and restoration is denied.,The reduction from 10% to 0% for right leg scar effective January 1, 2015 was not proper; restoration of the 10% rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective December 21, 2018. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his skin disorder (claimed as scars) on the neck, face, arms, and upper body, and left knee disability. The Veteran will not receive a compensable rating for his left knee arthroscopy scars.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his skin disorder (claimed as scars) on the neck, face, arms, and upper body, and left knee disability. The Veteran will not receive a compensable rating for his left knee arthroscopy scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants DIC benefits on this basis.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable evaluations for right gluteal scar and sternal scar have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with associated peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right thigh disability, a right thigh scar, and a specified trauma and stressor related disorder due to new evidence and worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for post prostatectomy scar, residual of prostate cancer is granted. The application to reopen the claim for PTSD with sleep disorder is also granted. However, service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board also remanded one issue: an evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral lower extremity chronic exertional compartment syndrome and scars have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,An effective date earlier than June 12, 2012, is denied for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.