Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic adenocarcinoma with an unknown primary. The VA examiner concluded that the service-connected abdominal condition did not cause or contribute to his death, as the cancer was likely due to other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions and set the effective date to October 1, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a burn scar on the back of the head, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hip disabilities and psychiatric disorders, have been reopened. The cases are remanded to determine the appropriate service connection based on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for post-surgical scars on the 5th toe, bilateral feet and increased the rating for residuals of frostbite to both feet. Service connection was also established for Raynaud’s phenomenon, bilateral feet.

The appeal is granted for the timeliness of a notice of disagreement regarding the June 2012 denial of service connection for low back disability. Service connection for this condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for scars of the left lower extremity was denied as there were no medical records showing an increase in disability within one year prior to December 19, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her bilateral knee conditions and other health issues, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his lumbar degenerative disc disorder. The other issues remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, circulation disorder, residuals of underbite surgery, and facial scars as they were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the need for additional examinations and evidence. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being considered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and diabetes, necessitate regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a back disorder, vision impairment, and initial compensable evaluation for a scar on the anterior side of the trunk associated with prostate cancer. The appeal regarding whether a rating reduction for prostate cancer was proper is also dismissed. The appeal regarding an increased evaluation for headaches, residuals of TBI, and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has also been denied.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a traumatic nasal scar and dismissed the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for dermatitis and neurodermatitis of the armpits, scrotum and penile area.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, status post lipoma removal, upper back and right shoulder disability is granted a 10 percent rating prior to July 19, 2017.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized as herpes progenitalis with scarring, is rated at 60 percent and denied for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a respiratory condition, including lung scarring, asthma, and COPD, due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be reviewed with updated treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues for further evaluation, including those related to arthritis and wrist conditions.